BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : Ojeda’s Door Is Open

Although Bob Ojeda can still be traded to a contender if the Dodgers are able to get him through waivers, they apparently are intent on re-signing their only left-handed starter.

This means they might want to negotiate with him before the end of the season, because Ojeda saw what happened to veterans Mike Morgan and Eddie Murray last season.

“They both got an offer from here, but it was eclipsed by offers from other teams once they want on the market,” Ojeda said Saturday. “As a player, you have to think about that.

“My door is open for them to start talks; without a doubt I will be interested. But if nothing gets done by the end of the year, I’m going to have to test the market.”

Ojeda has made no secret about his desire to stay here.

“I like where I’m at. The Dodgers have been very good to me. This is a great place to play,” he said.

But he also knows that as a veteran left-hander, he probably could command a three-year deal worth at least $10 million.

“I know there will be a market out there for me somewhere,” he said.

Pitcher Kevin Gross warned that, while none of the veterans are being critical during this slump, that closed-mouth policy won’t last.

“At the end of the year, I think you’ll be seeing a lot of truth come out,” Gross said. “We’ve talked, and right now we’re all trying to do the right thing, keep our mouths quiet, keep our composure. But at the end of the year, you will have something to write about.”

Gross said the team is beyond even yelling at each other.

“We’ve done all that. . . . We could scream and yell every day around here, but it is past the point of doing any good,” he said.

The object of the Dodgers’ criticism undoubtedly will be their defense.

Lenny Harris, making his third start of the season in left field, drove in his second run since July 4 with a sixth-inning double against Pete Smith, the Braves’ winner Saturday. . . . Tim Crews’ single Friday was his first hit since June 25, 1988.