BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : Davis, Strawberry Flip-Flopped in Lineup

Manager Tom Lasorda decided to switch Eric Davis and Darryl Strawberry in the batting order, placing Strawberry third and Davis fourth. “If Eric hits ahead of Darryl and I run him, then the pitcher will pitch around Darryl,” Lasorda said. “But with Darryl ahead, then I can run Eric.”

But Davis said he is worried that Strawberry will clog the bases. “He’s an old man,” Davis said.

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Matt Young, a left-handed relief pitcher, signed with the Cleveland Indians Tuesday after the Dodgers would not guarantee Young a spot on the major league club and instead offered him a triple-A contract. Fred Claire, Dodger executive vice president, is continuing his search for a left-handed reliever, but is not ready to open the club’s checkbook. The Atlanta Braves have six more days to trade left-hander Mark Davis before he becomes a free agent, but Claire said he has not spoken with the Braves since before the Freeway Series. . . . Although he is not on the 25-man roster, Kevin Elster is traveling with the Dodgers and working out. Elster, who is rehabilitating a shoulder sprain, said he is about a week away from playing. Before the Dodgers decide if Elster makes the club as a backup shortstop, they want him to play at least seven consecutive days. Elster said he will play with the minor league Vero Beach Dodgers.