BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : Piazza Almost Set After Simulated Game

All-star catcher Mike Piazza, sidelined since May 11 because of a torn ligament in his left thumb, played a simulated game Friday afternoon.

Piazza said he’ll meet with Executive Vice President Fred Claire and Manager Tom Lasorda today to determine when he’ll be activated.

“It went really, really well,” Piazza said. “I’m excited. I’ve gotten to a point where the pain is minimal and very tolerable. I’ve had an orthodontic brace put in my glove.

“We can’t really pin it [his return] down. I’m going to meet with Fred Claire and Tommy, but they stressed to me today that they want me to go through one more day of rehab therapy.

“There’s still some glitches and bumps we’ve got to work out, but all in all, the ligament is strong and the pain is at a minimum and it’s something I can deal with. It’s still going to take probably a good two or three weeks before there’s absolutely no discomfort whatsoever.”

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Center fielder Brett Butler, who spent the last four years with the Dodgers, returned to Dodger Stadium for the first time since signing with the New York Mets last April.

“I’ve been here before as a visiting player, so there isn’t a whole lot of difference,” Butler said. “It’s just trying to get my mind prepared to do everything I can to beat the Dodgers. I didn’t do it a whole lot last week [as the Mets lost three in a row to the Dodgers], I was one for 11, so I’m going to try to make up for that.”