Hershiser Is Major Success : Dodgers: His arm suffers no ill effects after pitching five shutout innings in Bakersfield.

The Dodgers concluded that Orel Hershiser’s right shoulder survived its first competitive test Wednesday night when, after pitching five shutout innings against Class-A hitters, he was able to sign autographs for 30 minutes.

Hershiser confirmed their suspicions Thursday when he completed his regular workout at Dodger Stadium with no pain or stiffness. He will be able to continue minor league rehabilitation work as planned, and an announcement of the date and time of his second start is expected today.

“Orel had no problems, no complications. He was very pleased,” said Pat Screnar, Dodger therapist, who worked with Hershiser Thursday. “He came out of (Wednesday night’s game at Bakersfield) extremely well. We feel very, very good.”

Hershiser felt good enough Thursday to remain on his schedule of pitching once every five days, which means he could pitch next Monday, probably at one of two sites.

If he remains with Bakersfield, he would have to travel to Reno, where it could be cold and he would have to face the same hitters he shut down in the 9-4 victory Wednesday.

In a more intriguing scenario, he would travel to Phoenix and

pitch for triple-A Albuquerque,

which visits the Phoenix Firebirds Monday. That would give Hershiser a better taste of major league conditions than he received in Wednesday night’s game, which featured overanxious hitters and two long breaks between innings because the Silver Sox had problems in the field.

“I want to simulate major league situations as closely as possible,” Hershiser said. “That’s the only way I know if I am ready.”

Not that an appearance by Hershiser in triple-A would represent his last step en route to the Dodgers. He wants to be confident that he can throw 90 pitches before returning to the team, and he threw only 44 Wednesday night, even though he said he felt good enough to pitch longer.

Although the Dodgers would not reveal Hershiser’s limit for the game, it was believed to be a range of 40-60 pitches. He could move to the 50-70 range next week. At that pace, he could need only three more minor league starts before returning to the Dodgers.

“But right now, honestly, we just don’t know how many he will need,” Screnar said. “I just know I would rather give him too many starts than too few starts. We want him to be able to return to the major leagues without any question that he is ready.”