BASEBALL : DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : Hershiser Throws Caution to the Wind

Orel Hershiser will throw his second simulated game today but chose not to speculate on subsequent moves. Last Friday he threw 43 pitches in his first simulated game. He said he has no pitch limit today--and won’t necessarily be pitching with a game-type approach.

“My goal is to get used to throwing at game speed,” he said. “I’ve got to get my pitches to a certain spot. I might get hit around (today) ‘cause I plan on working on pitches more than getting people out.”

If everything goes well, Hershiser said he has the next step in mind--perhaps a minor league start, possibly another simulated game--but prefers not to tip his hand.

“I don’t want it to look like a setback if I don’t go to the minors,” he said. “Nothing’s scheduled. Everything’s tentative till I see how I come out of (the simulated game). Wednesday I’ll be able to say more definitely. If it’s a setback you’ll know--’cause you won’t see me pick up a baseball for a while.”

Dodger center fielder and leadoff man Brett Butler, batting .229 going into Monday’s game, admits, “I’m not doing the job I’m supposed to do,” but says he’ll warm up with the weather. “I’m comfortable (here),” he said. “I’m trying to go back to basics, not think too much, not try to do things I’m not capable of.” . . . No place like home? The Dodgers started Monday’s seven-game home stand 0-3 at Dodger Stadium, while the Braves were 2-0 on the road but 2-6 in Atlanta. . . . Catcher Mike Scioscia, who has started every game for the Dodgers, came out of the weekend ranked second in the National League in batting (.385), first with seven multi-hit games, third in hits (17), sixth in on-base percentage (.426) and seventh in slugging percentage (.523).