BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : Karros Bandwagon Gets More Riders

“The Tonight Show With Jay Leno” people called.

And so has virtually every radio station from the Florida Keys to the Puget Sound.

Everyone wants a piece of Dodger first baseman Eric Karros, the hottest hitter on the planet these days and the man who has catapulted into consideration for the National League’s Most Valuable Player award.

“I think my dad’s loving this the most right now,” said Karros. “My dad’s pretty fired up.”

So are Dodger fans.

Karros had three game-winning homers and two game-tying hits last week, batting .385 with four homers and 12 runs batted in.

“I’ve had better numbers in a week,” Karros said, “but never the hits that were that important.

“It’s kind of unbelievable. Three weeks ago we were talking about Derek Bell [of Houston] being the MVP. Two weeks ago, it was Dante Bichette [of Colorado]. And now people are bringing up my name.

“I’m sure it will be somebody else in a couple of weeks.”

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Dodger pitcher Hideo Nomo, who has complained of a stiff elbow, threw 31 pitches in the bullpen and pronounced himself fit for tonight’s start against the Chicago Cubs.

“Obviously, we’ll monitor him closely,” said Pat Screnar, Dodger physical therapist, “but we think he’ll be fine.”

The Dodgers have no plans to limit Nomo to a pitch count, but will ask him at the end of each inning how he feels.

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Dodger right fielder Raul Mondesi still was suffering from light dizziness and headaches Monday and was kept out of the starting lineup.

Mondesi was kicked in the head in the fourth inning Sunday while sliding headfirst on a stolen base attempt.

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The Dodgers are in the market for a reserve, preferably a left-handed hitter, but they have not expressed interest in Kansas City Royal outfielder Vince Coleman, who recently was designated for assignment.

Does Coleman’s fire-cracker incident at Dodger Stadium two years ago deter the Dodgers?

“No, common sense enters into it,” said Fred Claire, Dodger executive vice president.