BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : Karros Steals the Spotlight

It has been a sensational start for Dodger first baseman Eric Karros, the finest of his career.

He’s ranked among the league leaders in nine offensive categories and entered Saturday’s game batting .393 with four home runs and 20 runs batted in, leading all of baseball with 35 hits.

Yet, there’s one statistic that remains mind-boggling:

Three stolen bases.

Karros already has stolen more bases this season than in any other, and he is only one shy of equaling his career total.

It’s easy to understand how Karros can go on a hitting tear, but where is this speed coming from?

“Eddie Murray used to get 10 each year,” Karros said, “and I know I’m faster than Eddie.”

Will Karros continue to get the green light on the basepaths?

“You kidding me?” Karros said, “I’ve never gotten it.”

What does Manager Tom Lasorda tell him?

“He says, ‘Just don’t get caught. When you run, you better be safe,’ ” Karros said.

“I’m saying, ‘Geez, don’t I get some credit at least for the three I’ve already stolen?’

“But I know when I get caught that first time, I’ll get yelled at, and this will all be forgotten about.

“And when I get thrown out, I’m going to be thrown out by 15 feet. It won’t be bang-bang. It will be very ugly.”

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Second baseman Delino DeShields was back in the starting lineup after sitting out the last two games but says it’s troublesome that the MRI tests were unable to find the cause of the pains in his left leg and hip.

“That makes it sound like it’s all in my head,” DeShields said, “but I’m not going to dwell on it. I’ll just go on from here.

“I feel like I’ve tried [almost] everything, but if it doesn’t get better, I’ll try something else. I’m not afraid.

“It affects me the most in the batter’s box, and it throws my timing off. But I’ll make some adjustments. I feel like I can still play.”

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The Dodgers have targeted USC shortstop Gabe Alvarez as their potential first-round pick in the free-agent draft beginning June 1. . . . Right fielder Henry Rodriguez still is hampered by his bruised right shin and now isn’t expected back in the lineup until Tuesday. . . . Pitcher Hideo Nomo taped ESPN’s “Plays of the Week” segment with Lasorda before the game.