BASEBALL : DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : Offerman Disciplined for Poor Attitude

Jose Offerman, the Dodgers’ prize shortstop prospect, has been disciplined for a lackluster attitude.

Offerman was recently benched for two games at triple-A Albuquerque for not hustling. He was upset at being demoted May 29 upon Alfredo Griffin’s return to the lineup after a toe injury.

The Dodgers say his attitude has since improved, but some in the clubhouse are worried that this is a sign he is still not ready for the major leagues.

Before Monday, he had two hits in his past 16 at-bats at Albuquerque, dropping his average to .322.

“The last five or six games, he has played very hard for us,” said Fred Claire, Dodger vice president. “But there was a little bit of adjustment for him when he was sent down. This was something of a concern to us, and we sat him down a couple of games.”

Claire said that this sort of behavior, even from a player who helped the Dodgers to a 9-4 record while making no errors, is unacceptable.

“You know something like this can happen, it has happened many times, to many young players,” Claire said. “But that will not be tolerated around here.”

Mike Morgan showed Monday how he is protecting himself against a poor second half.

Morgan began his day by doing 200 sit-ups, which he does every day he doesn’t pitch.

He then worked for an hour on a machine that simulates climbing a mountain. The average Dodger cannot last more than 30 minutes on that workout tool.

Then Morgan went outside and threw for 30 to 40 minutes.

“I don’t see how having a flat stomach and being in shape is going to translate into wins, but you never know,” Morgan said. “Maybe this year I’ll find out.”

Counting this season, during April, May and June he has a career earned-run average of 3.72. During the final three months of the season, when he loses strength and concentration, his ERA is 4.91.

Struggling relief pitcher Jim Gott was warming up in the bullpen after Monday night’s game. Gott has two blown saves and a loss since June 1. . . . Reliever Tim Crews returned to the clubhouse Monday, but was not well enough to return to the bullpen because of an intestinal ailment that has caused him to miss five games.