BASEBALL : DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : Hershiser Still in Fight for His Future

Although Orel Hershiser appears to be a regular part of the pitching rotation again, looks are deceiving.

After undergoing another daily round of strenuous exercises with Hershiser Tuesday, therapist Pat Screnar emphasized that they are still unable to make any promises past his next start.

“Just because Orel is active does not mean the battle is over,” Screnar said. “We still do not know what to expect from him from start to start.

“He is not just like any big league pitcher who just gets out there on the mound every five days. Orel will never again be the same as any big league pitcher.”

It appears that even if Hershiser missed or delayed a start during the remainder of the season, it would not be considered a setback.

Hershiser admitted that working on his reconstructed shoulder between starts--a painful process that takes from one to three hours each day--is difficult.

“Dr. (Frank) Jobe keeps saying it will get easier,” he said, shaking his head during a rare stop at his locker. “I keep waiting for that to happen.”

Tim Crews said he was available for one inning Wednesday after missing four consecutive days with an intestinal ailment. However, the Dodger relievers and catcher Gary Carter are leaving yellow ribbons on their locker as a sign of their concern for Crews, who they regard as a sort of cult hero. . . . Tim Belcher can’t wait to start for the Dodgers today against the Pirates. Last season Belcher was 3-0 against the Pirates with three complete games, one shutout and only 14 hits allowed in 35 innings with a 1.03 earned-run average. In his career, Belcher is 6-1 with a 2.20 ERA, his best mark against any team.

Barry Lyons became a free agent when he rejected the Dodgers’ request to remove him from the 40-man roster and outright his contract to triple-A Albuquerque. Players with more than three years of major league service, like Lyons, can elect free agency instead of being outrighted.

Lyons, a backup catcher, was originally optioned to Albuquerque May 29. When he refused to report, the Dodgers attempted to trade him. When they could not trade him, they made this latest move.