BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : Belcher May Get Rest, Oppose Braves

One day after lasting only 2 2/3 innings against the Braves, Tim Belcher said his pulled groin felt no worse--or better--than after he injured it last week.

Because of his injury, the Dodgers tentatively have decided to give Belcher an extra day of rest and hope to pitch him Friday against the Braves in Dodger Stadium. That might mean Kevin Gross would pitch in Belcher’s spot Thursday against Houston, and Ramon Martinez would pitch Saturday and Mike Morgan would pitch Sunday on three day’s rest.

If Orel Hershiser pitches well tonight against Cincinnati, the weekend rotation could change again.

Brett Butler had only seven hits in 38 at-bats (.184) on the club’s 11-game trip. . . . The middle of the Dodger order--Darryl Strawberry, Eddie Murray and Kal Danels--batted .298. . . . Jeff Treadway, the Braves’ second baseman, did not start Sunday because of flu. He was replaced by Mark Lemke, who reached base three times in five plate appearances. . . . Jay Howell postponed a throwing session for the second consecutive day Sunday to give his elbow more rest. He hopes to begin throwing next week, but probably will not be ready for next weekend’s Braves series. . . . Tom Lasorda, the Dodger manager, was visibly upset about an old video displayed on the scoreboard this weekend showing him with his finger in his nose. The scoreboard operator apologized.