BASEBALL : DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : Hershiser Back to Bakersfield Saturday

Orel Hershiser will make his third minor-league rehabilitation start Saturday night at Class-A Bakersfield against Salinas.

Hershiser decided to go to Bakersfield instead of triple-A Albuquerque, where he made his second start, because of the chance to face more hitters and build up his endurance.

It was a tough decision considering Albuquerque fans faxed him a petition with 18 pages of signatures, calling for his return there.

Pat Screnar, team therapist, emphasized that if Hershiser does not surpass the 68-pitch total of his last start, it is not a setback.

“Those 68 pitches was about the most he could have thrown,” Screnar said. “We may go more this time, but if we go a little bit less, that does not mean he is off schedule.”

Kal Daniels missed his fourth start in the last six games Wednesday, this time because of a sore groin. Daniels fouled a ball off his groin in the first inning of Tuesday’s game and was carried from the field on a stretcher.

Daniels was not wearing a protective cup at the time of the accident, but that is not unusual among outfielders, who find it constraining.

“It’s just sore,” said Daniels, who said he could not run well because of a protective device placed on the groin.

Daniels was replaced by Jose Gonzalez, making his second start.

Mike Scioscia was rested Wednesday for the fourth time this season, with Gary Carter making his third start. Barry Lyons has started once. Entering the game, the Dodgers were 16-12 with Scioscia and 1-2 with his backups. . . . The only Dodger to start in every game has been Juan Samuel. The player with the best starting record was Lenny Harris, as the Dodgers were 13-6 in games he started. The Dodgers were 5-8 when his platoon mate at third base, Jeff Hamilton, started.