BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : Davis Misses First Start

Eric Davis missed his first game as a Dodger Thursday after aggravating the slightly herniated disk in his neck.

The injury has bothered him since spring training, but he had played with it until Thursday, when it hurt so bad he could not hold his head straight.

“It is as bad as it’s been, even during spring training,” Davis said while applying ice to his neck before the game. “But I really don’t want to come out unless there is no way I can walk out there.”

A few minutes later, he was scratched from the starting lineup, replaced by Stan Javier.

Dr. Frank Jobe said that surgery is not required at this time, and that Davis should continue to improve with traction and rehabilitation.

Davis was hitting .375 with a team-leading three home runs and eight runs batted in. Javier was hitting .400 with two hits in five at-bats, all as a pinch-hitter.

Dodger Vice President Fred Claire did not rule out the possibility that Juan Samuel’s sore hand could land him on the disabled list. Samuel missed his second consecutive start Thursday because of the sore hand. “I’m trying to give him as much time as I can,” Manager Tom Lasorda said. “It’s day to day, but how many days it will be, I don’t know.” . . . Jay Howell struggled in his second rehabilitation appearance for Class-A Vero Beach Wednesday, giving up one run and three hits in one inning. “Our best-case scenario is for him to return sometime next week,” Claire said. “But nothing is firm.”