BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : Ashley Trade Plan Denied by Claire

Not only is triple-A outfielder Billy Ashley not on the trading block, but he is in the Dodgers’ plans for next season, Fred Claire, executive vice president, said Friday. Ashley, a 24-year-old left fielder, had been reported to be part of a trade to the Chicago Cubs for left-handed reliever Randy Myers. Claire has denied the report.

“Billy is a potential 40-home run hitter and is a player we definitely see as part of our team in 1995,” Claire said. “He will have the opportunity and the rest is up to him.”

Outfielders Brett Butler and Cory Snyder are signed through this season. If Butler is not re-signed, Raul Mondesi would become the center fielder. Claire says two other top outfield prospects at triple-A, Todd Hollandsworth and Roger Cedeno, need more experience.

Ashley is batting .326 with 20 home runs and 64 runs batted in 64 games for the Albuquerque Dukes. However, he has 71 strikeouts in 233 at-bats.

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Neither Mike Piazza nor Butler started the second game of the doubleheader. Butler took a ball off his right foot in the eighth inning of the first game and suffered a bruise. “I’ll be back tomorrow,” he said. Piazza was merely rested for the second game, with Carlos Hernandez getting the start with Tom Candiotti. Piazza took a foul tip off his right shoulder, but it was his left shoulder he was icing after the game. Piazza’s left shoulder has been sore for a couple of weeks.