BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : Second and Third First in His Thinking

Confirming what many have suspected, Fred Claire said Saturday that two objectives this winter will be finding a regular second baseman and third baseman.

He also said the Dodgers would not rule out moving Pedro Astacio to the bullpen, which could solve their need for a stopper.

Whether they will seek a power-hitting right fielder will apparently be determined during the final month, when Eric Davis and Henry Rodriguez are closely monitored.

“We have to have established players at second and third base, we just cannot keep shuffling at those positions,” said Claire, Dodger vice president. “This year Eric Karros and Jose Offerman established themselves at two of the four infield positions. We now need to see the same thing at the other two positions.”

Eric Young, with a .191 average and five errors in 18 starts at second base, has apparently fallen out of favor as the second baseman of the future. Further platooning of Mike Sharperson and Lenny Harris at third base is probably also not in the plans, perhaps because the Dodgers could lose one of them in the expansion draft.

Even though Astacio struggled in the bullpen at triple-A Albuquerque at the beginning of this season, Claire said such a move may be tried again when Astacio is recalled Sept. 3.

The starting pitching should be set if they re-sign Bob Ojeda as expected, and Brett Butler and Darryl Strawberry will fill two-thirds of the outfield. They hope Mike Piazza can become the regular catcher, allowing them to trade Carlos Hernandez.

The annual recall of minor leaguers will begin Sept. 1. Besides Piazza and Astacio, the Dodgers will bring up pitcher Kip Gross and outfielder Billy Ashley from double-A San Antonio when the Missions’ championship drive ends. . . . Davis said his wrist was sore Saturday after his first start in nearly a month Friday, but he was not leaving the lineup. “This final month is important for me to play regularly and see where it stands,” he said. . . . Strawberry is expected to be in uniform today after scheduling a flight to St. Louis Saturday. . . . Offerman left the game because of a strained left groin. He is listed as day to day.