PHOENIX -- While the rest of the baseball world seems to believe Pedro Martinez will return to the Dodgers, Los Angeles' management doesn't seem to believe it. There haven't even been any recent talks between the player's agent and the club.

"A lot of things would have to fall into place," general manager Ned Colletti said.

Martinez has pitched effectively for the Dominican Republic entry in the World Baseball Classic. But speculation that he seeks something similar to the contract John Smoltz received from Boston -- $5.5 million guaranteed and another $5 million in incentives -- puts him well out of the Dodgers' reach for a fifth starter to join Chad Billingsley, Hiroki Kuroda, Randy Wolf and Clayton Kershaw.

Manager Joe Torre said Thursday that the fifth-starter competition for now involves veterans Jason Schmidt, Eric Milton, Claudio Vargas and Shawn Estes. At this point, it appears that Jeff Weaver, James McDonald, Eris Stults and Ramon Troncoso are set to be relievers.

Schmidt, Torre's preference to win the fifth-starter job, made his first "A" game appearance Monday, and he will make his next appearance this coming Monday -- the time between outings apparently another precautionary measure, but one that will keep him behind the other candidates.

"As for him being ready to start the season, that still remains to be seen," Torre said. "I'd like that to be the case, as would he. In all fairness, we have to see what we'll see and make a decision. We have a few guys vying for that spot, but Jason is the most intriguing."

As for Martinez, Torre spoke glowingly of the right-hander, but said nothing to indicate he would be managing him.

"He's a tough competitor, the best at one time in this game," Torre said. "He may not have the velocity he had, but he has the know-how. He certainly throws hard enough to keep hitters off balance. I share Ned's comment about curiosity, his experience and the fact that he's been a winner and started in the organization. Does that mean we're on the threshold of signing him? No. I don't think there's been any contact made. But being asked a question, I can't say there's no interest at all."