BASEBALL : DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : Hershiser Faces Astros Wednesday Night

Orel Hershiser, who underwent major reconstructive surgery on his right shoulder 13 months ago, will pitch for the Dodgers Wednesday night against the Houston Astros at Dodger Stadium, it was announced Monday night.

Hershiser, who made four rehabilitation starts in the minor leagues this month, hasn’t pitched for the Dodgers since April 25, 1990.

“I just thank God that this has all worked out and I’m going to have another chance,” Hershiser said. “You work as long and as hard as we have for 13 months and you go through a lot of ups and downs, but the one constant has been that God has been looking over us. He has reassured me the whole time that something positive was going to come out of this.

“I don’t know if that’s going to end up turning into wins, but something positive is going to come out of this rehab--a long and lengthy career or a one-time statement that you can come back from something this bad.

“We’ll find out.”

Manager Tom Lasorda is eager to know the answer.

“I’m excited,” Lasorda said. “I can’t wait to watch him pitch again. He was one of the premier pitchers in the National League. I say was. I hope he still is one of the premier pitchers in baseball.”

Hershiser said he probably will be limited to about 100 pitches against the Astros. He made 92 while pitching seven innings last Friday night for the Dodgers’ double-A farm club at San Antonio, allowing 11 hits and two earned runs in a 3-0 loss to Shreveport.

That was Hershiser’s worst start in his comeback, but he said the problem was not with the shoulder, but in his mechanics.

Hershiser will replace Kevin Gross in the starting rotation. Ramon Martinez, scheduled to pitch Wednesday night, will instead pitch Thursday night against the Cincinnati Reds.

The Dodgers would not say who will be sent to the minors to make room for Hershiser on the 25-man roster. Gross will move to the bullpen.