BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : ELSEWHERE : Unhappy Justice Not in Braves’ Picture

David Justice doesn’t want to be negative about his contract talks. He simply doesn’t want to be on photographers’ negatives.

Justice, upset with the state of his negotiations, refused to take part in the Atlanta Braves’ annual picture day. Justice said he declined “because I don’t have a contract.”

“My job is to play baseball for the Atlanta Braves,” he said. “That’s my job description--baseball player.”

Justice, who earned $296,500 in 1991, is seeking $600,000 this year. The Braves, who have the right to renew his contract at a figure of their choosing, have offered about $400,000. The deadline for contract renewals in March 11, but Atlanta General Manager John Schuerholz said he will renew the eight unsigned Braves by Wednesday night.

Scott Erickson and the Minnesota Twins agreed to a one-year, $425,000 contract. Erickson was 20-8 last season and finished second to Roger Clemens in voting for the AL Cy Young Award. He made $143,500 in 1991. . . . Dwight Gooden, coming off arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder, threw batting practice for the first time on Monday and was impressive. “Let’s just say that even if he wasn’t coming off surgery, I still would be smiling,” New York Met pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre said. “Doc threw outstanding, and I was primarily impressed with the looseness of his arm.” . . . All Houston Astro personnel will be prohibited from drinking alcoholic beverages in clubhouses and on chartered team flights this season. “This is probably long overdue,” General Manager Bill Wood said. “In effect, the club was endorsing the use of alcohol on the premises. We decided it was time to stop that. Other sports don’t allow it. Other businesses don’t allow alcohol on the premises. Society’s attitude toward alcohol has changed, and so should ours.”