BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : AMERICAN LEAGUE : Hershiser Keeps Track of Dodgers

Orel Hershiser, who starts for Cleveland in Game 2 tonight, says he faithfully followed the club he starred with for a decade as it marched to the National League West title.

“I’m definitely rooting for [the Dodgers],” said Hershiser, who came to Cleveland as a free agent this season. “I have a lot of friends back there. I think it would be great for Tommy [Lasorda] to come out a winner.

“I’d like to pitch against one National League team this year. If it happens to be the Dodgers, then that would be even better. I would probably prefer not to, not because I wouldn’t want to lose to them, but because it would probably be a very emotional time. I would have to find a way to calm myself down.”

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Boston outfielder Troy O’Leary suffered back spasms after fielding a ball during Monday’s workout at Jacobs Field and will sit out the series. Red Sox Manager Kevin Kennedy, who had been considering Reggie Jefferson and Matt Stairs for the final roster spot, activated both before Tuesday’s noon deadline.

“He was barely able to walk [Monday] night,” Kennedy said of O’Leary. “The trainers told me he wouldn’t be ready until Friday or Saturday. Obviously, we couldn’t afford to go a man short. It’s unfortunate because he had a great year for us and we could use him.”

O’Leary hit .308 with 10 home runs and 49 runs batted in 112 games this season.

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Somebody asked Cleveland center fielder Kenny Lofton if the rainy conditions Tuesday would trouble the Indians in their first postseason game in 41 years.

“I don’t know,” Lofton said, “I’ve never been to the post office--I mean the playoffs--before.”