Team Still Worried About Bullpen

Dodger officials believe reliever Alan Mills will thrive in the right-handed setup role.

But the candidates for the left-handed job don’t inspire as much confidence. Manager Davey Johnson and pitching coach Charlie Hough are still trying to find a reliable left-handed setup man among many contenders, including Greg Cadaret, Pedro Borbon, Chris Haney and rookie Onan Masaoka.

Cadaret, a nine-year veteran, will likely be one of two left-handers on the roster because of his experience.

He hasn’t been overwhelming in Grapefruit League play, going 0-1 with a 3.52 earned-run average in 7 2/3 innings. But left-handers have batted .244 against Cadaret in his career, and he possesses the veteran poise Johnson appreciates.

At this point in his career, Cadaret would probably be most effective in a situational role. Masaoka, 21, is seemingly the leader among the in-house candidates because he throws hard--his fastball has been clocked at 94 mph--and he has been impressive.

Masaoka gave up his first run Sunday in the Dodgers’ 7-5 victory over the Montreal Expos at Dodgertown in Vero Beach, Fla. He has a 1.00 ERA and eight strikeouts in nine innings.

Many in the organization believe Baltimore Oriole left-hander Arthur Rhodes would be a perfect fit, and industry sources said General Manager Kevin Malone, formerly the Oriole assistant general manager, has made numerous attempts to acquire the hard thrower. In 45 appearances last season, Rhodes went 4-4 with a 3.51 ERA and 83 strikeouts in 77 innings.

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Outfielder Gary Sheffield played for the first time since March 12, starting in left field and going hitless in two at-bats. Sheffield said he did not experience pain in his surgically repaired right shoulder. “I passed the test today,” an upbeat Sheffield said. “I didn’t have any setbacks, so now I’m just going to keep moving forward.”. . . . The Dodgers still believe catcher Todd Hundley, who has yet to work behind the plate, will be ready to play by opening day. Hundley, who has experienced stiffness in his surgically repaired throwing elbow, is expected to play this week. “Some time next week he’ll get in a game, but I’m not sure in what capacity,” Johnson said. “We need to test him to see where he is.” . . . Right-hander Antonio Osuna, coming off surgery on his pitching elbow, said he did not experience pain after throwing lightly.