BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : Injured Maddux: Nomo Should Start

While National League Manager Felipe Alou is poised to announce Hideo Nomo as his starter in the All-Star game now that Atlanta starter Greg Maddux is injured, Nomo downplayed the significance.

“I think there is significance just playing in the All-Star game, not only starting,” he said. “Making the All-Star team is a great enough honor.”

Maddux, who said earlier in the week that he’d be willing to step aside for Nomo, decided Friday that he’ll sit out of the game because of his strained right groin.

“I think more people want to watch him pitch than me, to be honest,” Maddux said of Nomo. “He’s unique. He’s different. There’s a certain mystique which I don’t have.”

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Dodger Manager Tom Lasorda said hello to Red outfielder Deion Sanders by the batting cage Friday afternoon and then tried to start up a casual conversation.

“Hey, Deion,” Lasorda said, “you playing for the 49ers this year.”

Sanders: “I don’t know, man.”

Lasorda: “Oh, I was looking for a scoop.”

Sanders: “I’m going where the money is. That’s your scoop.”

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Red owner Marge Schott, when asked about Nomo and the infusion of foreign talent in the major leagues: “We wish Schottzie [Schott’s St. Bernard] could play.”

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Rookie left fielder Todd Hollandsworth, recovered from a broken bone in his right hand during batting practice, returned to the team Friday.

“The only bad thing about coming back is that we’re facing three left-handers in this series,” said Hollandsworth, a left-handed hitter. “I’m here to play.”