BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : Lasorda, Claire Say Park Belongs in Major Leagues

Though neither would say the exact words, Manager Tom Lasorda and Executive Vice President Fred Claire suggested Thursday, in their strongest terms yet, that Chan Ho Park belongs in the major leagues and probably will make the team’s opening-day roster.

Park, a rookie from Korea, is scheduled to start today’s game in West Palm Beach, Fla., against the Montreal Expos. But Lasorda said that even if Park has trouble today, it will not alter the manager’s opinion of him.

“Yeah, I’ve seen enough,” Lasorda said. “I think he’s got the stuff to pitch in the majors, yeah. That’s my evaluation.”

Claire said that he does not disagree with Lasorda’s assessment of Park, who throws four pitches, has given up only two earned runs in 14 innings and has struck out 11 in four appearances.

“As far as the quality of his pitches, they are of major league caliber,” Claire said. “We’re not at the point where we are announcing the pitchers who will make up our staff, but both Chan Ho and (1993 No. 1 pick) Darren Dreifort have shown us major league ability.

“What we’re fortunate enough in having here are the two top pitchers in the amateur baseball world last year. Not just two pitchers--the top two.”

So Park and Dreifort, who would be a reliever, both are near locks to start the season with the Dodgers?

“I think the picture is pretty clear,” Claire said. “The only thing they have to do is keep pitching, stay healthy and we’ll make the decision we have to make. They are certainly on the path, and they are showing us what we want to see.”

Lasorda has said all spring that the five veteran starters returning from last year’s rotation would almost certainly be the five who start in this year’s rotation, but he left room to possibly maneuver Park, who also could be a long reliever, into a starting spot.

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For the second consecutive game, the Dodgers fell behind, in the first inning, 7-0, before rallying to win, 14-9. The Dodgers shelled Marlin pitchers for 16 hits, including a first-inning grand slam by right fielder Raul Mondesi.