BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : Strawberry Gets Back Advice

Shawon Dunston, recovering from back surgery, walked across Wrigley Field on Monday to talk to Darryl Strawberry.

“I asked him, ‘Why are you delaying your surgery?’ ” said Dunston, shortstop for the Chicago Cubs. “I told him I could not understand it.”

Both Dunston and Strawberry have suffered from herniated disks in their lower backs. But unlike Dunston, who had surgery May 13, Strawberry is trying to avoid an operation through rehabilitation.

Dunston said that he tried such a recovery and failed miserably.

“Last winter I did nothing but rehabilitate the back, and it felt fine all the way through spring training,” Dunston said. “But once the season started and we played in cold and windy conditions and I had to dive for balls . . . it got real bad.

“That’s what I worry about with Darryl. It may feel good now, but one morning he is going to get up and say, ‘Oh, damn.’ At least, that’s what I did.”

Dunston, who began swinging a bat Sunday for the first time since surgery, says Strawberry could have the operation in October and be ready to play opening day, 1993.

The Dodgers recalled four minor-leaguers Monday, with one surprise.

Besides the expected trio of Mike Piazza, Bill Ashley and Kip Gross, the Dodgers also recalled Rafael Bournigal, a shortstop to help replace injured Jose Offerman.

Pedro Astacio, will be recalled on Sept. 3 after spending the mandatory 10 days in the minor leagues.

Tim Crews will make his second start of the season today, filling the void created when Tom Candiotti replaced Ramon Martinez on Monday.