Duncan Says He Is Not Surprised That Dodgers Didn’t Call Him Up

Mariano Duncan, reached Sunday morning in Tacoma, Wash., said he was neither surprised nor upset that the Dodgers recalled Mike Sharperson from their triple-A affiliate in Albuquerque after starting shortstop Alfredo Griffin broke his right hand Saturday night.

“I think the only reason they didn’t bring me up is because I’m injured,” said Duncan, who has missed three games with a strained hamstring. “I’m disappointed that I wasn’t healthy when (Griffin’s injury) happened.”

There was some speculation, however, that the Dodgers would not have recalled Duncan, the club’s shortstop from 1985 to ’87 because of his previous poor attitude and the fact he made 21 errors in 67 starts at shortstop last season. This spring, when Duncan was told he would be sent to the minor leagues, he threatened to retire and was extremely upset at Manager Tom Lasorda.

In Albuquerque, Duncan is hitting .312 with 18 stolen bases and 13 errors at shortstop.

“I don’t think this move says anything about Mariano,” said Dodger executive vice president Fred Claire. “I’m not going to get into that (whether Duncan would have been recalled if he wasn’t injured). We had to make a decision at that time. Mike is healthy; Mariano is not.”

Said Duncan, who expects to return to Albuquerque’s lineup on Tuesday: “I don’t know nothing about this. I haven’t talked to Tommy or Fred. I have no idea if I’ll be back at all.”