BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : A World of Difference for Worrell

In a marked departure from last year, the Dodgers broke camp and headed back to Southern California this spring with Todd Worrell set to be the closer in the bullpen.

Worrell wasn’t overpowering in 10 Grapefruit League outings--giving up 10 hits, four earned runs and four walks in 10 innings--but it was an improvement over the injury-marred 1993 spring that presaged his ineffective regular season.

“He came in here in good shape and has gone through a normal spring--which is entirely different from last year, at each stage,” said Executive Vice President Fred Claire. “There hasn’t been anything that has raised a red flag or even a yellow caution flag.”

Worrell, who says the only difference this year is that his arm is sound, passed his last test when he pitched on consecutive days late in the spring.

“It was important that we had a chance to see him on back-to-back days, just as a sign of good health,” Claire said.

Worrell is 2-0 this spring, with two saves.

Said Manager Tom Lasorda: “The big thing with him is he has to stay healthy. That is the main thing. He told me he feels good. That makes me feel OK.

“Worrell’s one of the keys for us this year. He’s got to be his old self for us. You know what the guy did when he was with St. Louis.”

Pitching coach Ron Perranoski said that with all of Worrell’s arm troubles, he never knew what Worrell was going to do last year.

“He’s pitching--that’s the difference,” Perranoski said. “We couldn’t pitch him last spring. We’ve been building his arm up, and the last few times he’s thrown very well.