BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : Lasorda Picking Spots With Howell

Jay Howell is not ready to get upset over his lack of use since returning from the disabled list May 18. He has appeared in only three of 13 games since then, and in one save situation.

He was removed from that save situation Monday night with a runner on first and two out in the ninth inning. John Candelaria retired Barry Bonds to collect the save.

“I can’t complain, Candy has been great against left-handers,” said Howell, who has averaged 20 saves in each of the last seven years but has none this year. “Right now I’m on the outside looking in, and it’s tough, but I’ve got no beef. I’ll take what I can get.”

Tom Lasorda said he is trying to get Howell into pitching shape.

“I’m just trying to work him in where I can,” Lasorda said.

A major development occurred in the Dodgers’ farm system Monday night when former first-round draft pick Dan Opperman, making his first start in nearly a year, allowed Colorado Springs one unearned run and two hits in five innings for triple-A Albuquerque.

Opperman has undergone three elbow surgeries, including two “Tommy John” transplant surgeries, yet the radar gun clocked his pitches at between 87-92 m.p.h.

“He is throwing as good or better than anybody on the staff,” Manager Bill Russell said last week, and his staff includes top prospect Pedro Martinez.

Juan Samuel took regular batting practice Monday for the first time in a couple of weeks and still experienced some pain in his broken middle finger, but the Dodgers say that is to be expected. His workload will gradually increase. . . . For those who saw Lasorda wearing an earring before Sunday’s game in Chicago, forget it. “It was a fake earring given to me by one of the players,” Lasorda said. “I would never wear a real one. And my guys aren’t wearing one on the field, either.”