BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : Davis Misses Start for the 35th Time

Eric Davis missed a start because of injury for the 35th time in 93 games Monday after receiving a shot of cortisone in his left hand.

Davis said he did not know how he hurt the hand, but he already had one cortisone shot two weeks ago.

“It has been bothering me for a while,” Davis said. “It’s been hurting almost everything I do. It makes my hand weak. I can’t grip the bat the way I want to grip it.”

Davis and Darryl Strawberry have started together only 28 times.

Jay Howell threw a season-high 47 pitches Sunday and felt good Monday, meaning his shoulder is probably sound. But in 20 appearances, he still does not have a save opportunity.

Howell knows that he could be traded soon, and that some members of the bullpen will probably not be back next year, but he said he is trying not to think about it or encourage it.

“I don’t want to see guys around here wanting to jump ship, I want us all to take it like a man,” Howell said.

Fred Claire, Dodger vice president, said that he could trade a veteran and still not be giving up on the season. “That would be saying that one veteran would make the whole difference and change everything,” Claire said. Are you listening, Bob Ojeda? . . . Claire indicated that minor leaguers Mike Piazza (catcher), Eric Young (second base), Henry Rodriguez (outfield), and pitchers Pedro Martinez, Pedro Astacio and Kip Gross could have a chance to make the major league club next year.