BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : Martinez, Not Hershiser, to Face Braves

The Dodgers officially have juggled the pitching rotation for the second time in a week, scheduling Ramon Martinez for Tuesday in Cincinnati so he can start next Sunday in Atlanta.

This maneuver, which will force Martinez to pitch with three days’ rest for the first time this season, pushes Orel Hershiser’s start back to Wednesday in Cincinnati, giving him 15 days between starts.

This also means Hershiser, who has pitched in more big games than any member of the rotation, will not pitch against the Braves in the biggest series of the season. But he took the news well.

“They have to do what’s best for the team, not what’s best for Orel Hershiser,” he said. “I haven’t been pitching well lately. . . . Well, I’ve been pitching OK. But the emphasis on this team is not me, it’s the team.”

In 11 starts since June 25, Hershiser is 4-0 with seven no-decisions and a 4.84 earned-run average. The Dodgers are 5-2 during those no-decisions, and 12-5 in all his starts.

The Dodgers will face another decision involving Hershiser if they make the playoffs. If he is not in the starting rotation, will they keep him on the playoff roster as a middle-innings reliever or put him on the disabled list?

Considering Hershiser’s playoff experience, speculation is that the Dodgers will decide they need him on the roster in any capacity.

Eddie Murray said the 90-foot exercise in pain when he beat out an infield single in the ninth inning Saturday did not set back recovery from his ankle and side injury, adding that he could be back in the lineup any day. “It doesn’t hurt any worse now than it did before,” he said afterward. “One day I’ll walk in here, flip a coin, and go for it.” . . . Darryl Strawberry had his first hit in 12 at-bats in this series when he drove in two runs with a ninth-inning single Saturday. Just before the inning, Brett Butler met Strawberry as they were walking in the dugout, put his arm around him, and gave him a pep talk. “I was just reminding Darryl to stay focused,” Butler said. In 16 games since hitting two home runs with seven runs batted in against San Diego Aug. 21, Strawberry has one homer and five RBIs. He has a .241 average during that time.