BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : DODGERS

For Billy Ashley, these were the important statistics Tuesday: Two cramped plane trips, two new apartments, one wild Monday.

It started early Monday morning when he flew as scheduled from Dodger training camp in Vero Beach, Fla., to his minor-league assignment at triple-A Albuquerque. He quickly found an apartment, prepared to unpack, then got a phone call from the Albuquerque general manager telling him to leave for Los Angeles as soon as possible--he was taking Darryl Strawberry’s roster spot.

The 6-foot-7 Ashley arrived in L.A. about 10 p.m. Monday, found another apartment and was in the Dodger Stadium clubhouse Tuesday morning, getting ready for opening day in the majors.

“The circumstances are unfortunate, but I’m grateful for the opportunity,” Ashley said. “I feel glad they thought enough about me, had enough confidence to choose me to fill the shoes that have been (vacated).”

Although Henry Rodriguez seems to have the inside shot to be the regular left fielder, Ashley, 23, has displayed power, hitting 26 home runs at Albuquerque last season.

After his minor-league designation, Ashley appeared in some major league spring games and had a couple of game-winning or tying hits that impressed the Dodger brass.

“Here’s a guy who hit 11 homers in spring training (in major and minor league games),” Executive Vice President Fred Claire said. “He can be a very, very exciting player here.

“I sit in my office up (on the club level of Dodger Stadium), and when he’s taking batting practice, balls are knocking around all over me. Not many hitters get it up there to the blue seats.”