BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : Change in Rotation Has Gross Upset

Nothing against Chan Ho Park, but Kevin Gross wasn’t happy when the Dodgers started Park instead of him Monday in an exhibition against the New York Mets. It was Gross’ scheduled day to start.

“I don’t appreciate not getting to start, that’s my job,” Gross said after following Park and pitching two innings. “Did you see them doing that to Orel (Hershiser) or (Tom) Candiotti? They planned this a week ago.”

Gross has been battling slight tendinitis in his right shoulder since the winter workouts and pitched batting practice for the first time Saturday. Monday’s game would have marked his first spring start.

Gross pitched two innings in the Dodgers 7-1 loss and said his shoulder felt good.

“I held back the first inning, but the second inning I started letting it go a little and that’s when I started getting hit,” he said. “I feel a lot better and I am about a week behind where I would usually be right now.”

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Park’s given name is Chan Ho, but in Korean, it is customary to use the family’s last name first. The Times follows the Korean style throughout the paper, but Park said it has caused him some problems.

“Some people are calling him Mr. Ho,” said Don Yi, Park’s interpreter. “So he asked if the paper would Americanize his name.”

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Darryl Strawberry worked out Monday and played in the game after having been sidelined Sunday because of a stomach virus. . . . Omar Daal took a line drive off his wrist hit by coach Burt Hooton during pitching drills and suffered a bruise.

Darren Dreifort did not work out for the second day because of a chest virus. . . . The Dodgers received second analyses on the MRI results of pitchers Todd Williams and Mike Milchin. Williams, who had 21 saves at triple-A Albuquerque last season, has a slight ligament tear in his pitching elbow, and might require surgery. Milchin, a non-roster player who appeared to have the most promise for the left-handed relief spot, has a slight tear in the muscle of his pitching elbow, but is expected to pitch this spring.

Top outfield prospect Roger Cedeno is back in camp after having arthroscopic surgery on his knee and is expected to be playing in about a week. . . . Delino DeShields’ outpatient surgery on his broken cheekbone went well and he is expected to be playing in games this weekend.