BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : Reserves Must Take Big Steps

Can the Dodgers possibly hope to compete without contributions from Darryl Strawberry and Eric Davis?

“I think we can,” Vice President Fred Claire said, hours before Davis hit a grand slam against Cincinnati. “It’s not how we pictured the club. But the answer is for people to step forward.”

Rookie catcher Mike Piazza, batting .328 with six home runs and 22 runs batted in entering Tuesday’s game, has taken a big step.

But will others follow?

Cory Snyder, whose career was on the brink two seasons ago, is being asked to pick up the slack for Strawberry in right.

Outfielder Mitch Webster entered Tuesday’s game batting .245.

First baseman Eric Karros and third baseman Tim Wallach were both hitting less than .250.

Henry Rodriguez, called up to replace Strawberry, is an untested prospect.

Claire said Snyder and Rodriguez are capable of hitting for power. He said the Dodgers aren’t dead yet.

“We’ve tried to give ourselves some depth,” Claire said.

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Reliever Todd Worrell is said to be close to going on a rehabilitation assignment, the last step in his comeback from a strained right forearm.

Worrell pitched a simulated game Tuesday and is scheduled to throw again Thursday. The Dodgers did not clock Worrell’s fastball.

“I didn’t need a gun,” Claire said. “I just needed an ear. You could hear it.”

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Brett Butler was given the night off Tuesday, marking the first time this season he has not been in the starting lineup. Butler said it was Manager Tom Lasorda’s decision. “He came to me and said ‘You’re taking the day off.’ ”