DODGERS : Hershiser Impressive in Simulated Game

Orel Hershiser’s recovery continued Thursday when he pitched two innings of a simulated game, after which he said he could, if necessary, begin the season in the bullpen.

But he probably won’t.

Hershiser pointed out that it would make little sense for the Dodgers to put him in the bullpen if they plan to use him as a starter, which, of course, they do.

He is more likely to begin the season as a starter for Class-A Vero Beach or triple-A Albuquerque.

“I am pretty confident I could probably be a reliever for us right now, throwing one or two innings then taking a day off, then throwing again,” Hershiser said.

But he added later: “If they want me to be a starter, I don’t see how pitching in a bullpen would help me reach that goal. I think they would want me to go somewhere where I could pitch six or seven innings and get my arm ready that way.”

Hershiser, who threw 54 pitches Thursday, said the hardest part is yet to come. He said that he hopes to pitch two or three longer simulated games before attempting an exhibition game. After that, he would start his first exhibition with three weeks left in spring training.

Considering that a physically sound starting pitcher needs a month to prepare for the season, Hershiser would then need to begin his season in the minor leagues.

“I don’t want people to think that I can go right from today into an exhibition game,” he said. “First I need to take longer breaks between innings and pitch more innings. I’ve still got a lot to do to become a pitcher.

The reviews of Thursday’s performance did not agree with that assessment.

“His ball had some real pop,” said Dodger coach Mark Cresse, who caught Hershiser. “He looked as good as a lot of pitchers I’ve seen this spring.”

Said one American League scout: “He looked better than most of the guys we have seen in intrasquad games this spring. His stuff was really moving.”

Dave Hansen, who struck out on one of Hershiser’s breaking pitches, said: “He got me with ‘the Famous.’ Got me good. I’m up there thinking, ‘Did this guy really hurt himself?’ ”

Hershiser said the most positive sign was how his arm felt after a seven-minute break between innings.

“After the rest, I went out and threw a couple of balls high, but I do that in the regular season,” Hershiser said. “The arm still felt loose, still didn’t hurt. It was working like it used to be.”

Darryl Strawberry doubled to the right-field wall, threw out a runner straying off first base, and generally had a great time in the Dodgers’ first exhibition game Thursday, a 10-3 loss to the Detroit Tigers before 6,452 at Holman Stadium.

Strawberry was so inspired that afterward he told the Dodgers he would play today against his former teammates in the spring opener at the New York Mets’ Port St. Lucie home. He will skip Saturday’s game there.

“What the heck, going down there won’t bother me at all,” said Strawberry, who last week had said he would skip both games.

Earlier this week, he said he would play in the second game to avoid the opening-day circus, but now has changed his mind again.

“I realized, I’ve just got to go down there and do my job,” he said. “I can’t let anything bother me.”

Strawberry said he expects boos. But he heard some hecklers Thursday and said they didn’t affect him.

“I laughed at a couple of guys out there saying some things,” Strawberry said. “That stuff just doesn’t penetrate me anymore.”

So far this spring he has played as if he has no worries. He has been impressive in batting practice and barely took a full swing on his double.

“I have never hit like this so early in the spring, never,” Strawberry said before Thursday’s game. “When I came in here, I had not worked out in weeks. And then I started to swing the bat like I’ve been swinging it.

“Never before have I felt like this at the plate.”

Five Dodger pitchers gave up eight earned runs and 17 hits Thursday. Tim Belcher, the starter, struggled the most. He gave up three earned runs and five hits in two innings.

Dennis Cook gave up one run and four hits in three innings, and Dave Walsh gave up no earned runs and two hits in two innings.

The only Dodger with more than one hit was Juan Samuel, who had two singles. Butch Davis, an outfielder with little chance of making the team, hit a home run.

The probable Dodger starter for today’s game is Jim Neidlinger, who will oppose David Cone.

John Tudor visited Dodgertown Thursday, but it was only between rounds of golf in the area. “Yeah, me and Sandy Koufax are working on comebacks,” said the former Dodger pitcher who has since retired.