BASEBALL : DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : Offerman, Lyons, Smith: Who Goes?

Shortstop Jose Offerman, Barry Lyons and infielder Greg Smith are the leading candidates to be sent to triple-A Albuquerque when the Dodgers make three roster moves:

--Mike Sharperson, reserve infielder, can rejoin the roster Thursday after recovering from a strained muscle in his left leg.

--Alfredo Griffin, shortstop, is scheduled to rejoin the roster Saturday after recovering from a lacerated toe nail and sore thumb. Many thought that his departure would clear the way for Offerman to stay. Offerman is batting only .226, but he has not made an error in 10 starts.

Manager Tom Lasorda’s policy is that a veteran can’t lose a job because he was on the disabled list. And so Griffin, batting .228 with seven errors in 24 games, probably will supplant Offerman.

--Orel Hershiser could return from reconstructive shoulder surgery within two weeks. Because his endurance will be unknown, the Dodgers will respond by keeping 11 pitchers, probably moving Kevin Gross to the bullpen and demoting a position player.

Kevin Gross politely declined to elaborate on the “no comment” he gave Monday after shouting at Lasorda in the dugout. There was no meeting planned between the him and Lasorda.