BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : It’s OK With Maddux If Nomo Starts

Atlanta Brave starter Greg Maddux, tentatively scheduled to start the All-Star game, said he’s willing to step aside and provide Dodger pitcher Hideo Nomo the honor.

“It doesn’t matter to me,” said Maddux, the three-time Cy Young winner who started last year’s All-Star game. “Just being selected is a great enough honor for me. Whether I start is just icing on the cake.”

“Nomo certainly deserves to start. So does [Pirate starter] Denny Neagle, for that matter. I’m just glad I don’t have to make the decision.”

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Left-handed starter David Yocum, the Dodgers’ first-round pick in the June free-agent draft, signed for a bonus of about $650,000. He’ll report to the Dodgers’ Class A club in Vero Beach, Fla.

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Dodger catcher Mike Piazza, who started his 28th consecutive game Tuesday since returning June 4 from the disabled list, will sit out of this year’s home-run hitting contest.

“I need to give my thumb some rest,” Piazza said.

Raul Mondesi says he’s willing to replace Piazza in the contest, but has yet to be invited.