BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : Strawberry Targets Comeback

Darryl Strawberry said Thursday that there was the “good possibility” he could rejoin the team before the All-Star break.

Strawberry said he did not expect clearance to begin hitting or running for at least another week, but said his back had greatly improved.

“There is not much pain anymore, it feels a whole lot better,” Strawberry aid. “Things are working out well.”

Strawberry said he has been attending therapy sessions at Kerlan-Jobe clinic three times a week, and otherwise resting.

“From what doctors say, I’ve been very lucky, that the disk didn’t slip out and hit a nerve,” Strawberry said. ‘The way things are going, with things getting stronger, I’m not even thinking about surgery.”

Jose Offerman, who had quietly raised his April average of .216 to .243 before Thursday, has 10 hits with runners in scoring position for a .294 average. Strawberry, batting .393 with runners in scoring position, has 11 such hits. Dodgers struggling most in this department were Mike Scioscia (.133), Kal Daniels (.143) and Brett Butler (.209). . . . After getting two hits in his first 16 at-bats against right-handed pitching, Eric Karros has eight hits in his last 26 at- bats. Karros’ average against right-handers is now .238.

The Mimbs brothers, the Dodgers’ identical twin minor league pitchers, continue to match each other’s statistics although they are in different leagues. As of June 1, Mark Mimbs had pitched 47 innings for triple-A Albuquerque while Mike Mimbs had pitched 48 2/3 innings for double-A San Antonio. Mark has struck out 32 batters, Mike had struck out 30. Each had issued one intentional walk. Both pitchers are struggling; Mark is 0-4 with a 6.13 earned-run average while Mike is 4-3 with a 4.81 ERA and 37 walks . . . . The Dodgers have tenatively planned to send Jesus Martinez, the third Martinez brother, to rookie league Great Falls (Mont.) to begin his pro pitching career later this month. He could be joined there by cousin Angel Jaime, a 17-year-old shortstop. Jaime battied .352 in the Dominican summer league last season. Jesus Martinez led the league with 83 strikeouts.