BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : L.A. Takes Another Chance on Pitcher

Despite a nagging history of using high draft picks on pitchers who have since encountered arm trouble, from Dan Opperman to Kiki Jones to Ron Walden, the Dodgers have taken another chance.

The first pitcher they selected in last week’s June amateur draft, David Spykstra of Cherry Creek High in Englewood, Colo., threw only 7 2/3 innings as a junior because of a tender elbow.

This season, he went 7-0 and did not miss a start, but walked 50 batters in his first 53 innings.

He was the Colorado high school player of the year, but scouts said the arm troubles made him available to the Dodgers in the third round as the 87th pick of the draft.

“He’s had a medical history, we all know that, but we feel it is behind him,” said Terry Reynolds, Dodger scouting director. “He threw pain-free all spring. He didn’t lose a game; he is fine.”

The Dodgers are still negotiating with Spykstra, who has signed a letter of intent to attend the University of Florida.

The return of Juan Samuel won’t necessarily mean that the platoon of Lenny Harris and Mike Sharperson will return to third base. Samuel was being benched against some right-handers even before he was hurt and could find himself sharing second base with Harris while Sharperson, Dave Hansen and Dave Anderson share third. It will be difficult for Manager Tom Lasorda to bench Anderson completely, considering that he has hit in seven of his last 10 games and has a .321 average in that time. Hansen has also been hot, batting .393 in his last 13 games.

Dodger scouts have been looking at second baseman Harold Reynolds of the Seattle Mariners, but apparently not with a trade in mind. Reynolds, a three-time Gold Glove winner, has said he would like to play for the Dodgers after becoming a free agent this winter. “We have no serious trade talks going, and we aren’t looking to do anything right now in the area of second base,” said Fred Claire, Dodger vice president. “With Juan coming back, and with Harris and Sharperson playing so well there, making a change there right now is not among our priorities.”