DODGERS : Worrell May Pitch in Game Next Week

Todd Worrell said he might pitch in an exhibition game as soon as next week and believes he will be ready to go when the Dodgers start the regular season.

“I need to throw in a simulated game first, and if things go well, hopefully I will pitch in a game by the end of next week,” Worrell said Wednesday.

Pat Screnar, the Dodgers’ physical therapist, said the simulated game might be at the end of this week or early next week, and that Worrell may have to throw in two before he pitches against competition. But Screnar said he wouldn’t rule out Worrell pitching in a game next week.

The competition for starting catcher is turning into a nice problem for the Dodgers.

In the team’s 8-1 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday, Mike Piazza was three for three and scored two runs. He is six for 10 this spring, with one home run and a double.

But his defense is also gaining attention. Piazza threw out a runner at second base on a knuckleball from Tom Candiotti and made a sliding catch of a foul pop-up to strand a runner and end the fifth inning.

“Before camp I thought that it (the job) was between Carlos (Hernandez) and me, and the worst thing that could happen if we both played well is one of us would not start but still make the team,” Piazza said. “Then we come to camp, and now Lance Parrish is here and on the first day I’m watching him and realizing that we can’t let up.

“We could get sent out, and that is not a pleasant thought. It showed me not to take it for granted, and I think the competition is helping me out.”

Hernandez is also swinging the bat well (three for 11, with a double). Parrish is hitless in seven at-bats, but his defense and experience cause some insiders to think he will make the club.

Pedro Martinez followed Candiotti--who gave up one run, a homer by Felix Jose--with an explosive fastball and showed good control in three scoreless innings, giving up two hits, striking out five and walking one. He has six scoreless innings this spring. . . . Eric Davis singled to knock in a run and homered, his second of the spring. He is four for 14 with six RBIs. . . . Henry Rodriguez hit a three-run pinch-hit home run. . . . Darryl Strawberry, who has missed two games with a mild groin strain, took batting practice and ran Wednesday. He will be re-evaluated today.