BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : 10 Pitchers May Be Enough

Fred Claire, Dodger vice president, raised the possibility Friday that Jay Howell could replace another pitcher when he returns to the roster.

Many had figured that Howell would replace a position player and give the Dodgers 11 pitchers, as many as they had last season.

But with the starters having pitched into the sixth inning in 14 of 16 games, Claire said perhaps the Dodgers could go with 10 pitchers.

This means Tim Crews, the only right-hander who has an option remaining, could be on the bubble. It also means that Eric Karros could survive the cut and remain with the team indefinitely.

“We’ve shown we could go with 10 pitchers, we’ve shown that’s do-able,” Claire said. “I was a lot more worried about going with 10 pitchers in the beginning than I am now.”

Howell rejoined the Dodgers Friday from his rehabilitation in Vero Beach, and is scheduled to throw today so they can evaluate his progress. He says he can be ready after a few more rehabilitation starts, perhaps for Class-A Bakersfield next week.

Both Howell and Dr. Frank Jobe acknowledged that Howell was not battling only shoulder problems, but also a nagging elbow pain probably caused by favoring the shoulder.

“We don’t think it’s anything, it’s just part of his rehabilitation,” Jobe said.

The Dodgers will not miss the league’s hottest pitcher after all. Bill Swift, 4-0 with a 1.10 earned-run average, will be moved up from his scheduled start Monday against the Montreal Expos so he can face the Dodgers Sunday. Giant officials are saying he is being moved to maintain his four days’ rest between starts, but they would also rather him face the Dodgers. Swift replaces rookie Dave Burba, 0-2 with a 4.85 ERA. . . . Eric Karros in Hollywood Dept.: Karros felt so good after hitting .385 in five starts on the recent home stand, he sent out his laundry for the first time. “He was afraid before that if he sent it out, he would be in Albuquerque when it came back,” said Brett Butler, who is letting Karros stay in his house for now. Karros acknowledged that he was worried--and still is worried--that he would lose his clothes. They are scheduled to be cleaned by Monday. “It’s not like I have a lot of suits,” Karros said. . . . Tom Candiotti grew up in the San Francisco area and lives 40 minutes away, yet he left only seven passes for Friday’s game. “All of my friends know, you don’t come to Candlestick Park for a night game,” said Candiotti, who will leave 30 passes for today’s afternoon game, when he pitches against John Burkett.