BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : Strawberry Says Artificial Turf Hurts

Dodger therapist Pat Screnar says artificial turf is one of the worst things for a bad back, and after playing in Montreal and in Philadelphia, Darryl Strawberry believes him.

Strawberry, who wasn’t a fan of artificial turf when he was uninjured, is learning quickly that the healing process is still ongoing since his back surgery in September. He has sat out two games of six on this trip, and each time there has been a new contributing factor. The five-hour plane flight to Montreal caused his back to stiffen and he sat out the first game. In Philadelphia, he played Friday night, but he said the cold weather and artificial turf did him in during the game. Even though he played the entire game, he looked clumsy in the field and went hitless in three at-bats. Saturday, he didn’t even take batting practice.

Sunday, however, he said he felt fine, and went one for three with a walk and run batted in.

“I just have to get used to it under these conditions,” Strawberry said of his back. “When I do, it will be fine, it just will take a little time.”

The other four teams in the National League that play on artificial turf are Cincinnati, Houston, Pittsburgh and St. Louis.