BASEBALL: DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : Claire Comes to Offerman’s Defense

Dodger Vice President Fred Claire defended shortstop Jose Offerman before Tuesday’s game, saying he had no immediate plans to search for a replacement.

“We are not 2-5 (now 3-5) because of Jose Offerman,” Claire said. “If you judged him from the start of spring training until now, I would give him high marks.

“I’m not looking (for a replacement), I’m looking for him to continue to gain experience and grow.”

Claire said that criticism of Offerman for missing the hard grounder in the first inning of Monday’s 8-3 loss to the Houston Astros was interesting.

“I realize Jose is under a microscope, that is part of playing for the Dodgers,” he said. “But when you have a play that is ruled a base hit, and people are asking Jose why he didn’t make the catch . . . that shows how sharp the focus is.”

Claire admitted that Offerman, who probably cost the Dodgers six runs in a three-game span, needs to concentrate on the routine.

“He does have to make the basic plays,” Claire said. “But I remember last year at this time, we were stumbling a bit defensively, and everybody was screaming for us to get rid of Alfredo Griffin and bring up Jose.”

Jay Howell felt good Tuesday, one day after pitching one inning for Class-A Vero Beach. He is tentatively scheduled to pitch today, Friday and Saturday, Claire said. After that, the Dodgers could make an evaluation that could return him to the major leagues next week. . . . Tuesday marked the event that Dodger Manager Tom Lasorda often claims as his greatest achievement--he and wife Jo celebrated their 42nd anniversary. Lasorda and Jo Miller were married in Greenville, S.C., while Lasorda was traveling north with the Dodgers’ triple-A Montreal team. Their honeymoon was a trip with the team. . . . Mark Cresse, the Dodgers’ bullpen coach, rejoined the team after missing five games to be with his ailing father, Art, who is suffering from cancer in San Luis Obispo. It is only the second time in Cresse’s 19 years with the Dodgers that he has been absent from the team.