BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : Mondesi May Stop Head-First Approach

The Dodgers haven’t able to convince all-star outfielder Raul Mondesi that it’s unsafe to slide head first.

But Mondesi might quit sliding that way after he was forced to leave Sunday’s game against the Pirates when he was injured sliding into second in the fourth inning.

Mondesi had to be helped off the field when he was kneed in he face by Pirate shortstop Jay Bell, who tagged him out.

Mondesi was taken to Centinella Hospital Medical Center for X-rays after experiencing dizziness.

“He had a little bruise and he got dizzy, but he never lost consciousness,” said Charlie Strasser, Dodger assistant trainer. “The X-rays were just a precaution.”

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Pitcher Hideo Nomo was examined Sunday by Frank Jobe after experiencing stiffness in his right elbow but is still scheduled to start Tuesday night against the Cubs.

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Second baseman Chad Fonville, who sprained his right ankle while running out a ground ball in the fifth inning of Saturday night’s 11-10 11-inning victory over the Pirates and left the game, played Sunday, getting two hits in four at-bats.

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Rookie center fielder Roger Cedeno, who was called up from triple-A Albuquerque on Thursday, collected his first major league hit when he singled to left in the third inning. . . . Catcher Mike Piazza, who went three for five and had three RBIs to extend his hitting streak to a career-high 13 games Saturday night, had Sunday off. Carlos Hernandez, who made his fourth start of the season, had one hit in three at-bats.