Gibson Feels Good About Disabled List : Dodgers: He could be ready to play by April 15. Daniels will make his spring debut today.

It was eight months since he last stepped in front of a pitcher. During that time, his left knee had picked up a long scar and his voice had acquired traces of doubt.

But Saturday at 11 a.m., it was the same old Kirk Gibson.

Swing. Line drive to left. “Just missed it!” Gibson shouted.

Swing. Line drive up the middle. “That ball is caught!” Gibson shouted.

The ball sounded lively and Gibson appeared healthy in his first official batting practice since last Aug. 29 knee surgery.

He only took 50 swings and afterward warned against overestimating his progress, but the Dodgers are getting excited. They placed Gibson on the 15-day disabled list Saturday, meaning he could be eligible for action as soon as April 15, the season’s seventh day. If Gibson was expected to miss at least the first month, as previously thought, he would not have been placed on the disabled list until just before opening day.

At the same time Saturday, the Dodgers confirmed that Kal Daniels, recovering from knee surgery, will play his first spring game today against the New York Yankees at Holman Stadium. Officials say that if Daniels plays in the seven remaining spring games, he will be ready to take his place as the opening-day left fielder.

“If Kal is ready Sunday, that will give him enough time for opening day,” said Fred Claire, Dodger vice president.

Said Daniels: “I’m getting there.”

Claire was just as effusive about Gibson.

“We see this disabled list move as a very positive step,” Claire said. “We believe there is a possibility for Kirk to playing April 15.”

Gibson was being more cautious. He pointed to his hands, cut and calloused from as many as 150 swings a day against a pitching machine.

“There is still a long way from what I did today to playing nine innings in a game, believe me,” said Gibson, who took his swings off minor league pitching instructor Dave Wallace. “And I’m not going to come back just to play five innings or something. I will be able to play all nine before I come back. I’m still taking it slow.”

Gibson was scheduled to run hard around the bases for the first time Saturday, but an early morning rainstorm made the field too slippery. He will try to run the bases again today, along with his usual work.

Placed on the 21-day disabled list Saturday was pitcher Pat Perry, who has been slow in recovering from last winter’s rotator cuff shoulder surgery. The Dodgers still have hopes that Perry, a free agent who was with the Chicago Cubs last season, could help their left-handed relief situation. But now they probably must wait for him until at least May.