BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : Everybody Wants More Pitching

If the Dodgers were to deal before Saturday night’s deadline to trade without waivers, it would be for pitching, according to Fred Claire, executive vice president.

Claire, who has said he is getting calls mostly from American League clubs in contention who want veteran pitchers, said that, although he is pleased with the Dodger staff, he is listening.

“I need to be as tuned in as I can be if something presents itself,” Claire said. “In 1987, the Oakland A’s were in contention and they wanted a left-handed reliever, so we traded Rick Honeycutt for Tim Belcher, and that turned out to be a big trade for this organization.”

Claire would not say who the clubs are asking for, but sources say that the pitcher most talked about is Roger McDowell, followed by Kevin Gross.

Entering Tuesday, McDowell, who is used in the setup role, had a 4-0 record with a 1.93 earned run average in 46 2/3 innings and has appeared in 37 games.

*

Tim Wallach, who can come off the 15-day disabled list Monday, played catch for the first time. He said he would know more by Friday as to his schedule. He is recovering from a broken rib, suffered when he was hit by a pitch thrown by Ken Hill of the Montreal Expos on July 16.