BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : Astacio Says He Is OK After First Start

Pedro Astacio pitched in a game Friday for the first time this spring and later said he will be ready when the season starts in 18 days. In his two innings against the Philadelphia Phillies, Astacio gave up one hit--a home run to Tom Marsh--and struck out two in the Dodgers’ 7-5 victory at Clearwater, Fla. He will pitch three more times before the season begins.

“I will be pitching fine,” Astacio said. “I threw five times in winter ball, so I am OK.”

Astacio, who came on strong near the end of last season, has been sidelined since early this spring because of a heart murmur. Tests since indicated all was well, but one test resulted in a sore groin.

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Fred Claire, Dodger executive vice president, would neither confirm nor deny a report that the club is interested in Florida Marlin left-handed reliever Rich Rodriguez.

“It’s no secret that we need a left-hander, but I can tell you that there are no major trade talks taking place,” Claire said. “I’m happy with what is going on with the left-handers in camp. Gary Wayne has taken the lead--he hasn’t given up a run in nine innings and six appearances and has seven strikeouts.”

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Ramon Martinez started Friday’s game and had his best outing this spring. He gave up one earned run and three hits in five innings, with four strikeouts and three walks. . . . Jim Gott had another shaky outing, giving up two runs and hitting a batter in the eighth inning. Pitching Coach Ron Perranoski says Gott is working on his timing and there is nothing wrong with his arm. “I got out of the inning, that was my concern,” Gott said. “I am not concerned with this and if anybody else is, then let them be. I’m just getting my rhythm down. This is what spring training is for.”

Mike Piazza hit his sixth home run of the spring, which leads the National League. . . . Eric Karros’ batting average is .240, but he drove in two more runs Friday to lead the team and to rank second in the league with 13 runs batted in. Karros has four homers. . . . Tim Wallach, who is batting .308, tripled and scored a run. . . . As part of a dare, double-dare game, Carlos Hernandez and Raul Mondesi shaved their heads. “I couldn’t believe he would actually do it,’ Hernandez said. What Mondesi didn’t tell Hernandez is that he shaved his head two years ago. “If he would have known that, he would not have dared me,” Mondesi said. Hernandez homered in the game and threw out a baserunner. “I think the shaved head gives me more power,” he joked.