BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : Claire May Negotiate With Free Agents

For the first time since 1989, Fred Claire is not ruling out negotiating with the Dodgers’ potential free agents before the end of the season.

“We have no immediate plans to negotiate, but could that change? Yes,” said Claire, Dodger vice president.

This will be of interest to the seven potential Dodgers free agents: Mike Scioscia, Bob Ojeda, Roger McDowell, Eric Davis, Jim Gott, John Candelaria and Jay Howell.

Scioscia was the last Dodger to sign during the season when he agreed to a three-year extension late in the 1989 season.

The leading candidates to be involved in early contract negotiations this year appear to be Ojeda, McDowell and Gott.

The Dodgers are facing tough decisions, particularly Scioscia, who is fighting off the challenges of top prospects Carlos Hernandez and Mike Piazza.

The Dodgers, who hope Scioscia will eventually become a manager in the organization, may attempt to convince him to accept a contract to serve as a backup and mentor for one of the prospects.

Darryl Strawberry is scheduled to meet with Dr. Robert Watkins today and perhaps decide on a date for his back surgery. . . . Eric Davis is out indefinitely after an old fracture in his left wrist may have been irritated when he was hit by a pitch last weekend. . . . Tom Candiotti threw on the side Tuesday and, although his ankle is still sore after being hit by a line drive last weekend, he plans to make his scheduled start Saturday in Atlanta.