World Series Notebook : Clark Takes His Swings but Can’t Cut It

In lieu of another doctor’s examination of his injured right leg, St. Louis Cardinals slugger Jack Clark tried a different type of test Thursday night at the Metrodome to determine if he is physically able to play against the Minnesota Twins in the World Series.

Clark, who has made only four pinch-hitting appearances since Sept. 9 because of the tissue damage above his ankle, was a participant in a “simulated” game against three Cardinal relief pitchers with a full defensive lineup.

The results were inconclusive. Manager Whitey Herzog still doesn’t know if Clark will be ready to play at all in the Series, and Clark said the pain has not noticeably slackened.

Clark went 0 for 6, striking out once, grounding to shortstop three times and flying out to center field twice. A more important gauge of Clark’s availability is how--or if--he can run.

On his two grounders, Clark limped noticeably while jogging half-speed to first base.

“You could see out there how I was doing,” Clark said. “I’m rusty (at the plate), and there’s still pain. There’s pain when I sleep at night. It’s not going to go away, except in about a month’s time.”

Herzog, who has to submit his World Series roster in a meeting with umpires Saturday morning, hasn’t decided what to do about Clark. But he seems to be leaning toward keeping him activated and perhaps using him as a pinch-hitter or a possible designated hitter.

“If they won’t let us substitute a player, we’ll ask for a moped so he can hop on that after he hits the ball,” Herzog cracked.

In addition to the Clark dilemma, Herzog is faced with a decision about third baseman Terry Pendleton, who pulled a muscle in his left rib cage in Game 7 of the National League Championship Series Wednesday night at St. Louis.

Pendleton is doubtful for the opening game Saturday and perhaps may be lost for the duration of the Series. If Pendleton is unable to play and Herzog does not put him on the active roster, he most likely will activate relief pitcher Lee Tunnell or outfielder David Green.

“He can’t throw and he can’t hit right-handed, so it doesn’t look good,” Herzog said of Pendleton. “He looks real doubtful for the Series at all. If we can’t use (Pendleton), I’ll put (Tom) Lawless at third against left-handers and (Jose) Oquendo there against right-handers.”

Said Pendleton: “I can hit OK left-handed, but it pinches me too much to hit right-handed. Whitey’s got to make up his mind, and if he doesn’t want to put me (on the roster), I’ll live with it.”

Herzog said he has considered asking the Commissioner’s office if he is within the rules to activate Doug DeCinces, acquired during the last week of the season after being released by the Angels.

Even Herzog admits that this doesn’t seem a valid option.

“The rules say we couldn’t activate a player acquired from another organization after Sept. 1,” Herzog said. “But we didn’t acquire DeCinces. He was released. Maybe there’s a loophole there, but I’ve been wrong before.”

DeCinces, reached Thursday night at his Villa Park home, said the Cardinals have not contacted him. He also said it was his understanding that he is ineligible for postseason play.

“But I’m going to start lifting weights tomorrow,” DeCinces said.

The pitching matchups for the first two games were announced Thursday afternoon.

In Game 1 Saturday night, the Twins’ Frank Viola will oppose the Cardinals’ Joe Magrane. In Game 2 Sunday night, the Twins’ Bert Blyleven will face St. Louis’ Danny Cox.

Herzog said his designated hitter Satuday will be Tom Pagnozzi, who hit .188 this season.

Minnesota has not named a starting pitcher for Game 3 Tuesday in St. Louis, but the Cardinals will start John Tudor. Either Greg Mathews or Bob Forsch will start Game 4 for St. Louis Wednesday.

On first impressions, Cardinal players did not have much to say about the dreaded Metrodome.

“It’s nice,” catcher Tony Pena said. “It can’t be that bad.”

Herzog, though, apparently knows better. At least, that’s what informed sources have told him.

“I’ve heard it’s tough to see and it’s awful loud,” Herzog said. “I don’t really know yet. There’s no noise right now. A couple things we do know, it’s going to be warm--no rain--and the games will be played on turf.”

But will fear of the Metrodome grip Cardinal players.

“It don’t bother my players,” Herzog said. “They don’t worry about it. They don’t worry about anything.”

Herzog did get off one good line about the massive vinyl fence in right field.

“It looks like a giant shower curtain,” he said. “I went and peeked behind it, but I didn’t see anybody.”

The Twins’ workout Thursday was highlighted by the comedic touch of Tom Brunansky.

Brunansky strolled near some auxiliary bleachers being built for tonight’s Big Ten football game between Minnesota and Indiana and suddenly squealed in pain and ran for the clubhouse with a nail showing from his hand and blood dripping from it. Media and teammates hustled after him only to find it was a novelty nail and fake blood.

“I did it in Kansas City once and had a little blood left over, so I thought I’d do it again,” he said. “The only problem is that Don Baylor wanted to kick my butt, and that ain’t funny.”

Times staff writer Ross Newhan contributed to this story.