BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT

All-star catcher Mike Piazza, playing with torn knee cartilage, said Friday that it has become necessary to cut back on his playing for the rest of the season.

“The only way it’s going to feel better is taking time to treat it,” Piazza said. “It feels better when I take time off. Obviously, this is what I’m going to have to do. . . .

“I just don’t want to get to a point where it’s a mental thing and lingering. It’s important to take the rest when needed.”

Piazza, who has sat out the last two games, will return to the lineup today against the Atlanta Braves. He will begin skipping more day games after night games, and perhaps the first game after a cross-country flight.

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Tom Prince will be the primary backup to Piazza, instead of Carlos Hernandez, who was sent to triple-A Albuquerque.

Hernandez, who earns $375,000, had the option of rejecting the assignment and declaring free agency, but elected to play in the minor leagues. And the Dodgers were a bit surprised when he cleared waivers, considering that any team could have claimed him for $20,000.

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Pitcher Ismael Valdes, who won Thursday night’s game, left for Mexico to attend his sister’s wedding. He is expected to rejoin the team Sunday. . . . Shortstop Greg Gagne is tentatively scheduled to leave the team Sunday for his rehabilitation assignment. He has been sidelined by a sprained ankle.