The Los Angeles Dodgers' trip to China next week will be delayed by a day.

Originally scheduled to make the long flight to Beijing on Monday, the team will depart from Orlando the following day because the original charter company contracted by Major League Baseball didn't receive approval to land in China before its deadline.

Now, the Dodgers will bus to Orlando on Monday and spend the night before departing on another charter.

Team spokesman Josh Rawitch said the team will arrive about 20 hours later than originally scheduled.

"The only thing it really does is eliminate the off-day there," manager Joe Torre said. "It just makes sightseeing a little tighter. We'll work out here (Monday) before heading to Orlando."

Rawitch said a visit to the Great Wall of China still is planned.

"I did the Wall in January," Torre said, referring to his trip to Beijing for a news conference to discuss the series.

The team also announced that players from seven countries will make the trip for the first major league exhibition games in that country. The Los Angeles Dodgers will face the San Diego Padres on March 15-16 at Beijing's Olympic baseball venue.

Pitcher Kuo Hong-chi and shortstop Hu Chin-lung are both from Taiwan. Among the others listed on the travel party are infielders Nomar Garciaparra, Ramon Martinez and Mark Sweeney; outfielders Andruw Jones and Matt Kemp; and non-roster pitchers Chan Ho Park and Tanyon Sturtze.

"What a unique opportunity, to go play baseball in another country," said Garciaparra, who chose to travel. "I haven't been to China, it will be difficult, hard on our bodies with all the travel. But I look forward to it."

The games will begin at 1 p.m. local time -- 10 p.m. in California on the previous two days.

The two exhibitions and the Olympics in Beijing give baseball a chance to show its appeal, with the sport dropped from the 2012 London Olympics but looking to return in 2016.

"I'm not excited for the flight time. I am looking forward to everything else about it," Sweeney said. "I'm a big fan of traveling, seeing different cultures. I know a lot of stuff is going to be new for us."

Torre said Japanese closer Takashi Saito, bothered by cramping in his right calf, threw on Sunday with barely any soreness. It's unclear when Saito will make his exhibition debut.

 

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