BASEBALL : DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : Gross Not Pitching, Not Complaining

Although the occasion passed unnoticed, on Saturday the Dodgers became eligible to trade Kevin Gross because of the rule that teams cannot trade a newly signed free agent until June 15. But neither party wants to part ways, at least for now, even though Gross threw only 15 official pitches on the recently completed nine-game trip.

“I am not complaining--I’m on a good team, I’m playing right where I want to be playing,” Gross said. “But of course, it’s hard. I don’t like not pitching. It’s like I’m the sixth man in the rotation, and the sixth man in the bullpen.”

Fred Claire, Dodger vice president, said he currently has no intention of trading Gross, whose attitude has impressed the Dodgers. “Kevin is not in the role he wants, but he is handling it well,” Claire said. “He is giving his full effort to help the team, and we appreciate that.”

Darryl Strawberry said Monday that he was experiencing such discomfort in his shoulder, he asked Dodger doctors about the possibility of a cortisone shot. “They told me it would make me feel good right away, but it could cause other problems,” Strawberry said. “So I’ll just keep plugging away and hope that one day I’ll wake up and things will be different.”

Mike Scioscia was honored in a pregame ceremony for catching his 1,219th game as a Dodger last week, a franchise record. Among other things, Scioscia received mounted shin guards and an engraved granite home plate. Scioscia’s teammates also donated $1,219 to Casa Colina, a rehabilitation hospital where Scioscia is active. The ceremony was capped by a video of Scoscia’s life and career accompanied by the song “Like a Rock,” sung by Bob Seger.

The Dodgers were without radio communication between the press box and dugout Monday for the first time this season, in keeping with the new National League rule. Joe Ferguson will continue to chart hitters from the press box while the Dodgers appeal to the National League office to allow him to return to the dugout as a sixth uniformed coach.