BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : Karros Might Not Be Ready for Opener

First baseman Eric Karros, concerned about his aching left shoulder, conceded Sunday that he may not be ready to open the season.

Karros, whose shoulder has not responded to treatment, is scheduled to undergo an MRI today. Yet, no matter the result, Karros said he will miss the final three spring-training games in Florida.

“I can’t even hit the ball to the outfield right now,” Karros said. “Even the hits I got this spring have been on off-speed pitches. I’m not sure I could hit a good fastball.”

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Left fielder Billy Ashley, who appears to have lost his job to Todd Hollandsworth, said he will consider asking for a trade if he’s not at least platooning in left field.

“I can bitch and moan all I want,” Ashley said. “But if they don’t want to play me and don’t want to move me, I’m up the creek without a paddle.”

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Pedro Astacio assured himself of the fifth starter’s job by yielding two runs and striking out seven in six innings of a 6-5 victory over Florida on Sunday. Astacio, who’ll start Saturday night in the Freeway Series, finished the spring with a 2.50 ERA, yielding 23 hits in 18 innings, striking out 18.

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Perhaps no one will be hurt more than outfielder Roger Cedeno if Karros is not ready by opening day. The Dodgers are planning on keeping Cedeno on the team instead of infielder Mike Busch. Yet, if Karros is not ready, they need another player who can play first base and third base. . . . Busch, who has missed the last three games because of a sore upper back, hopes to return today. “I need to get back in there,” Busch said. “It’s tough sitting out now.”