BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : Making Life Softer for Outfielders?

With Darryl Strawberry on the disabled list because of an injury caused by a collision with the right-field wall at Dodger Stadium, the Dodgers are considering padding all outfield walls for the first time in the stadium’s 30-year history.

Representatives of a padding company visited Dodger Stadium before Thursday’s game and questioned several outfielders about possible types of padding. A pad sample was even placed on a small section of the right-field fence, and Brett Butler tested it by running into the fence.

Last month, when Strawberry suffered a separated shoulder after running into the wooden wall, Dodger owner Peter O’Malley said he was satisfied with the walls’ resiliency, even though this is one of the few stadiums in baseball with no padding.

“You just have to put two and two together--they see the big guy (Strawberry) out, and they want him to be here 10 more years, so something is done,” Butler said. “I’m glad. Now I can hit that wall going full speed, and even climb it, because you can get your cleats into the padding.”

Butch Davis was given a pleasant 33rd birthday surprise Wednesday when he was recalled to the Dodgers from triple-A Albuquerque. In his 12th pro season, Davis has one full year of major league experience. He will supply the Dodgers with a right-handed bat off the bench.

“By me being 33, people are probably saying, ‘Why don’t you just give it up?’ ” said Davis, who was hitting .325 as a part-time outfielder for Albuquerque. “But I don’t feel 33. I’m still having fun, so why not keep playing?”

Jeff Hamilton said he didn’t think he would need surgery on his left knee, even though was placed on the disabled list Wednesday with a torn ligament. “The knee feels better today, I can almost straighten it,” he said. “And I’m not going to agree to surgery except as a last resort.” . . . In reference to reports about his game-tying triple in the 11th inning against the Chicago Cubs Tuesday, Chris Gwynn said that while he didn’t know the exact count, he did know there were two strikes. “I always know how many strikes are on me, because that’s all that matters,” said Gwynn, who was down 1-and-2 before connecting.