BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : Daniels Unable to Shake His Slump

Kal Daniels’ season keeps getting worse.

Making his first start in a week Saturday, Daniels did not hit a fair ball, striking out twice and walking once.

He has one hit in his last 10 at-bats and is still looking for his first run batted in.

He has impressed the Dodgers by not complaining about his platoon role with Eric Karros, even though he averaged 22 home runs and 83 RBIs against all pitching over the last two seasons.

But after both strikeouts Saturday, Daniels threw his helmet in frustration.

“When you don’t play in a week, you can’t get comfortable at the plate, and today I wasn’t even comfortable at first base,” said Daniels, who has a sore right knee. “Sure, I see things that surprise me, but I just go with the flow. I’m not going to make any waves.

“I will just do the best that I can. But right now, that’s not too much.”

Even though Fred Claire, team vice president, said he has not had many trade talks since spring training, Daniels is still a leading candidate to leave the team.

Brett Butler left Saturday’s game during the third inning when his left hamstring tightened, and teammates are suggesting that he rest it, at least for today. Butler, Darryl Strawberry and Jose Offerman are the three Dodgers who have started in each of the 18 games. . . . Juan Samuel, who did not start Saturday, said he might sit out “a day or two” after aggravating his sore left hand. . . . Roger McDowell has retired 13 consecutive batters after throwing a perfect two innings for his second victory Saturday.

Jay Howell said he felt good after throwing for 12 minutes in the bullpen before Saturday’s game. He said he will throw a simulated game at Dodger Stadium on Monday before a decision is made on his return, which could be at the end of next week. When told that Claire said he was considering keeping only 10 pitchers when Howell returns, Howell was surprised. “I always assumed we would have 11 pitchers,” he said. . . . Orel Hershiser said that his shoulder felt fine Saturday, one day after throwing a post-surgery high of 121 pitches.