BASEBALL : DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : Hershiser Appears Ready for Next Step

No news was good news for Orel Hershiser, who threw a three-inning, 52-pitch simulated game at Dodger Stadium Tuesday. Pitching against Chris Gwynn, Mike Sharperson and Jose Gonzalez, Hershiser felt no discomfort or stiffness and his biggest complaint was lack of control of his slow curve.

“He was effective with every pitch,” Gwynn said. “His velocity and the sharpness on his pitches are there. The bigger question is if he feels fine.”

If Hershiser has no unusual soreness or stiffness in the next two days he could begin a minor league rehabilitation stint within a week--possibly this weekend with Class A Bakersfield.

“I don’t want to make that determination until I see how my arm feels the next few days,” he said.

If Hershiser starts a rehabilitation program when the Dodgers start an East Coast trip next week, he would pitch in Vero Beach, Fla.

“I know where I’m going and I know where it’s going to be, but I don’t want to make an announcement yet,” he said. “If I feel like I can respond in three or four days, it’ll be (with) Bakersfield.”

Eddie Murray’s home run Monday night was the 381st of his career, tying him with the Angels’ Dave Winfield for 28th on the all-time list. Next on the horizon: Jim Rice and Frank Howard at 382. . . . Murray’s single in the second Tuesday night extended his hitting streak to seven games. . . . Gary Carter became the first Dodger catcher other than Mike Scioscia to start a game Tuesday. . . . Career in a capsule: Tonight’s Dodger starter, Mike Morgan, has a earned run average of 2.42 against the Braves--and a 0-6 record.