BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : Strawberry Out at Least Three Weeks

Darryl Strawberry, put on the 15-day disabled list Saturday because of a herniated disk in the lower back, is not expected to return to the Dodgers for at least three weeks, according to Dr. Robert Watkins.

“He’s in intense pain,” Watkins said. “We’ll have to see how he responds to treatment.”

Watkins is ruling out surgery for now. Strawberry will be hospitalized for several days for treatment to reduce the inflammation in the affected area. Beyond that, said Watkins, it’s a matter of therapy, rest and inactivity. “There is a chance he will be totally healed,” Watkins said. “He does not have an injury to the nerve. People in great shape are easier to rehab. And he has not had significant back problems in the past.”

Watkins said Strawberry hurt himself rounding the bases.

Asked if that was an unusual way to herniate a disk, Watkins said: “You could do it picking up a feather.”

The decision to activate Kal Daniels, on the disabled list since April 27 because of a sore right knee, was about to be made anyway, regardless of Strawberry’s condition.

“He’s been close,” said Executive Vice President Fred Claire of Daniels. “We might have waited another day under the earlier plan, but you’ve got to adjust. You don’t ever want to be a player short.”