Spring Will Come Late for Hershiser This Year : Dodger Pitcher Will Attend Arbitration Hearing Before Heading to Florida

Orel Hershiser says he will not be among the Dodger pitchers and catchers scheduled to report to spring training Thursday in Vero Beach, Fla.

On that day, he expects to be in a hotel room near L.A. International Airport for an arbitration hearing to determine the salary the Dodgers will pay him in 1989: the $2.425 million he has requested, or the $2 million the team is offering.

Hershiser said he has a plane reservation to Florida for next Sunday, which is two days before the rest of the team is scheduled to arrive.

Both sides are continuing to negotiate on a long-term contract. Fred Claire, the Dodgers’ executive vice president, said he expects a response today from Hershiser’s agent, Robert Fraley, to the team’s offer of a three-year, $6.8-million deal. But Hershiser said he is not optimistic that an agreement will be reached.

The stumbling block, he said Sunday, continues to be contract language regarding a possible lockout of the players in 1990. The Dodgers are refusing to guarantee Hershiser’s salary in 1990, although they would permit an arbitrator to decide whether he should be paid. Hershiser insists on a guarantee, like the ones given in contracts to Kirk Gibson, Mike Marshall, Jay Howell and Alejandro Pena.

“There’s a little bit of frustration,” said Hershiser, who took part in the Dodgers’ annual public workout Sunday afternoon, which was followed by an exhibition against USC in which only non-roster Dodgers took part.

“I don’t understand how they can give (the guarantee) to one player and not another. Hopefully, we can find a creative way around it.”

Hershiser is aware that his above-reproach image is taking a bit of a beating.

“Some people are getting mad at me,” he said, “which I could understand if I were a maverick or trying to set a precedent. But that language already exists. . . .

“I’d love to sit down with every single person and take them through the negotiations. That would either clear the air or make them hate me. I’d like to explain to them, ‘If I were your son or daughter, you’d say do the best you can negotiating your contract, the same way you compete on the field.’ ”

Yes, the amount of money involved is substantial--if he accepted the Dodgers’ offer, Hershiser would become the highest-paid player in baseball--but the 1988 Cy Young Award winner reiterated that he merely is seeking market value for his performance.

“Nobody can tell me for one special event, one special year in your career that you’re worth a certain amount of money,” he said. “I don’t know how you grade it, but the only way you grade it in America is by supply and demand and the economic status of baseball in America.”

Hershiser said published reports quoting agent Fraley that he was seeking a three-year, $7.5-million deal were “completely wrong.”

Claire said Sunday that the so-called neutral language offered by the team in the event of a lockout is “fair and appropriate language, signed by other players (Alfredo Griffin, Willie Randolph). It shouldn’t be an obstacle. . . . I hope that’s not the problem.”

Kirk Gibson took his first swings in a Dodger uniform since his game-winning home run in Game 1 of the World Series, and he said there is nothing seriously wrong with his right knee, even though he may undergo arthroscopic surgery on Wednesday.

“Minor, everything’s minor--there’s nothing major,” Gibson said Sunday after working out with several other Dodger regulars, including Mike Scioscia, Mike Marshall, Mickey Hatcher and Franklin Stubbs.

“(The knee) just hasn’t gotten totally better,” he said.

Gibson, who appeared to be in excellent shape after working out all winter, is scheduled to be examined by Dr. Frank Jobe on Tuesday. Surgery, if performed, would probably set him back two weeks. Gibson injured the knee sliding into second base in the fifth game of the National League playoffs last fall.

“I’m not alarmed,” Claire said. “Kirk has always kept himself in excellent condition.”

Surgery was not performed immediately after the season, Claire said, because the team’s medical staff had hoped that the knee would respond to rehabilitative therapy.

“Kirk was making good progress until recently feeling some discomfort,” Claire said.

Among the players taking part in Sunday’s workout was Mariano Duncan, the second baseman whose future as a Dodger seemed foreclosed last season when he called Manager Tom Lasorda a liar in spring training after being demoted to the minor leagues.

That’s all history now, Duncan said, adding that he intends to apologize to Lasorda in Vero Beach. With Steve Sax now a Yankee and newcomer Willie Randolph 34 years old, Duncan realizes that he has a chance to play some significant innings this season if he has a good spring.

“At the time I got sent down, I got very upset, and I said a lot of things I shouldn’t have said,” said Duncan, who won a Gold Glove at second base in the Dominican league this past winter. “There’s no way you can have your manager as your enemy, and we’re not enemies no more.

“There isn’t any manager in the major leagues who gave me an opportunity to play like (Lasorda) did in 1985. I just want to come to spring training with a positive attitude and make the 24-man roster.”

Former Dodger Reggie Smith has been hired as a minor-league hitting instructor and will work primarily with Dodger prospects in the lower classifications. . . . The Dodger home opener, April 13 against Houston, is a sellout.