BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : Most Players Against Fraternization

Although the Dodgers have no rule barring opposing players from visiting their clubhouse, the majority of players feel that such fraternizing is wrong.

An exception is Darryl Strawberry.

“It’s been happening for years, guys picking up their friends after the games,” Strawberry said. “I don’t see why guys should fight about it. Heck, you talk to guys on the field before the games and during the games.

“I don’t have any problem with what happens after a game.”

Fraternizing became an issue last weekend in St. Louis when Todd Worrell fought teammate Pedro Guerrero after Guerrero brought Sammy Sosa of the Chicago Cubs into their clubhouse after a Cardinal loss.

Within days, Cardinal Manager Joe Torre issued an order banning opponents from entering the clubhouse.

Dodger Manager Tom Lasorda has issued no edicts, mostly because only a couple of opposing players enter their clubhouse during the season.

“I don’t think players from other teams should walk into your clubhouse,” Lasorda said. “I don’t think it’s good for the game.”

Said Tom Candiotti: “If I was the starting pitcher, and I had just gotten beat in a tough game, I wouldn’t want to look up from my locker right away and see the face of somebody who was on the winning team. It’s unprofessional.”

Jay Howell, who has been rehabilitating his sore right shoulder in Vero Beach, said that he will rejoin the Dodgers Friday and could be ready a week later. Howell will make his final appearance for Class-A Vero Beach today after throwing 44 pitches in a shaky outing Monday. “Realistically, I don’t think I will be 100% by the end of this week, and I know they don’t want me at less than that,” Howell said Tuesday. “But I’ll work with Perry (pitching coach Ron Perranoski) and, who knows, after a couple of times throwing somewhere, I could be ready.” Howell and the Dodgers emphasized that even though he allowed four runs in 1 2/3 innings Monday, it was not a setback. “The statistics are important, that fact that his arm felt good, that is important,” said Fred Claire, Dodger vice president.

Todd Benzinger, who has been given the role as the Dodgers’ third first baseman, has been asked by Lasorda to begin taking fly balls in the outfield. This increased flexibility could allow the Dodgers to keep all three first basemen when Howell returns. Benzinger, who started 11 games in the outfield for the Cincinnati Reds last season, said he is ready. “I’ve already taken enough fly balls there where, if I needed to play there, I could,” Benzinger said.

Scouts are impressed with Mike Piazza, Billy Ashley and pitcher Greg Hansell at double-A San Antonio. Piazza is batting .425 with three homers in 11 games. Ashley is batting .355 with three homers and 10 runs batted in. Hansell is 2-0 with a 2.11 earned-run average. . . . Henry Rodriguez is playing well again at triple-A Albuquerque, batting .349 with three homers and nine RBIs in 11 games. Jeff Hamilton is batting .368. Pedro Martinez is 1-1 with a 3.86 earned-run average.