Dodgers : Soreness in His Repaired Right Knee Puts Randolph on the Sideline

While shortstop Alfredo Griffin, one-half of the Dodgers’ new double play combination, was checking in here Saturday night, the other half, second baseman Willie Randolph, was temporarily ruled out of action with soreness in his right knee.

Randolph underwent arthroscopic surgery on the knee after last season, one in which he played a career-low 110 games, but Dr. Frank Jobe played down the significance of his absence from workouts Saturday. Jobe said Randolph probably tried to do too much in the early days of camp, and recommended that he limit his activity in the next few days.

Randolph, who pronounced himself in excellent shape when he first arrived here, worked out all winter in preparation for this season, his first with the Dodgers after 13 seasons with the New York Yankees.

Griffin, who had the permission of Executive Vice President Fred Claire to report late for undisclosed personal reasons, is expected to work out today. Under baseball’s Basic Agreement, players officially have until March 1 to report.

Griffin figures to be the top candidate for the No. 2 spot in the batting order, with Randolph hitting leadoff. Dodger Manager Tom Lasorda listed John Shelby and Mike Scioscia as the other candidates. Scioscia is the ideal hitter for the spot, Lasorda said--he’s an excellent contact hitter who seldom strikes out and hits to the opposite field--but his lack of speed makes him a longshot. Shelby will have to cut down on his strikeouts--128 in 494 at-bats--while Griffin will have to hit higher than his 1988 average of .199.

Fernando Valenzuela gave the Dodgers further encouragement by throwing 12 minutes of batting practice, during which he went through his usual repertoire of pitches--fastball, curveball, screwball.

Among those watching Valenzuela closely was Sandy Koufax, who stood behind the batting cage while the left-hander worked.

“You can’t really tell anything from batting practice,” catcher Rick Dempsey said. “You just look to see if his arm is tiring quickly, or whether it’s lively, and also whether he’s getting good rotation on his curveball.”

Pitching coach Ron Perranoski said Valenzuela has yet to experience pain since reporting here 10 days ago. Orel Hershiser also pitched batting practice Saturday and said he felt better than he has all spring.