BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : Karros No Longer Full-Time Starter

As if to tantalize Eric Karros, there was no name next to the first baseman’s spot when the lineup was posted in the dugout Friday.

But later, his fears were confirmed. Todd Benzinger, a switch hitter, replaced him in the starting lineup against New York Met right-hander Bret Saberhagen.

For now, anyway, Karros’ days as a full-time starter at first base are over.

“Obviously I haven’t done a lot to impress them in the last four or five days,” said Karros, who had two hits in 23 at-bats since starting against all pitching May 6.

Against right-handers, Karros is batting .125 with 10 strikeouts in 16 at-bats.

“I think they are just trying to go for a different look, shakes things up a little bit,” Karros said. “I don’t think they are casting me off, at least I hope not.”

Karros noted that the right-handers he faced on the last trip included Saberhagen, David Cone, Ken Hill and Mark Gardner.

“I hope they aren’t judging me on four or five pitchers who stuck it to everybody on the team,” Karros said. “But I don’t think that’s being done.”

Juan Samuel was as upset as everybody at the news that he will miss at least two more weeks because of his broken middle finger. “There is nothing I can do,” he said. “It hurts like always. I just have to wait. It is no good.” . . . Jay Howell threw 53 pitches in a simulated game and said if there are no more knee or shoulder problems, he could be active in a couple of days.

Eddie Murray was greeted by a mixture of cheers and boos when he stepped to home plate for his first at-bat in Dodger Stadium since leaving the Dodgers for the New York Mets. . . . If the Dodgers attempt to send down Dave Anderson when Kal Daniels returns, which could happen as soon as today, they would first need Anderson’s permission because he has more than five years experience.