Hundley Getting Closer to Return

Catcher Todd Hundley took batting practice Thursday for the first time since suffering a strained right rib-cage muscle, and the switch-hitter hopes to return from the disabled list early next week.

Hundley said he “felt fine” after batting right-handed, taking the first step toward being activated. Hundley plans to bat left-handed today unless he experiences problems from Thursday’s work.

He also has been throwing for several days without pain. If all goes well, Hundley wants to play in a three-game series against the Houston Astros at Enron Field beginning Tuesday.

“It felt much better than I thought it would, a whole lot better than I expected,” said Hundley, on the disabled list since May 31. “I’ve been throwing for the last three or four days, and that’s also going good, so I feel good about everything.

“But [today] will really tell us a lot more. I’ll bat left-handed if it keeps feeling OK, and then it’s just a matter of getting repetitions.”

The Dodgers are eager for Hundley to return. He is batting .290 with 13 home runs and 33 runs batted in, and the team needs his production.

However, Manager Davey Johnson is being cautious. Hundley, eligible to be activated Thursday, had recently experienced discomfort.

“He may be ready to play [next week], but what type of form will he be in?” Johnson said. “That’s what we have to wait and find out.”

Johnson said Hundley may play in simulated games before he’s activated.

*

Third baseman Adrian Beltre hopes to be activated from the disabled list before the team begins a six-game trip Tuesday.

Beltre has been sidelined since May 29 after suffering a strained right hamstring. He is taking medication to reduce swelling in his leg.

“I think the swelling is going be there for a little while,” Beltre said. “I can play right now, I’m just not 100%.”

*

Jeff Shaw believes he’s ready to resume closing.

The right-hander said his pitching shoulder responded well to strengthening exercises designed by team physician Frank Jobe. Shaw is encouraged about his command and velocity after working with pitching coach Claude Osteen in several bullpen sessions this month.

The Dodgers haven’t had a save situation since June 8. Johnson planned to use Mike Fetters as the primary closer until Shaw reverted to form, but Fetters hasn’t been needed to close recently either.

With Shaw feeling good again, who will close now?

“As far as I know, I am [the closer],” said Shaw, who had his last save May 19. “That’s the way it seems to be working out in the ‘pen, but there just haven’t been any opportunities.

“There’s no question in my mind that I’ll be back in that situation. I know it’s going to happen soon.”

ON DECK

* Opponent--St. Louis Cardinals, three games.

* Site--Dodger Stadium.

* Tonight--7.

* TV--Fox Sports Net 2 today, Channel 11 Saturday, ESPN Sunday.

* Radio--KXTA (1150), KWKW (1330).

* Records--Dodgers 35-29, Cardinals 37-28.

* Record vs. Cardinals--2-1.

TONIGHT

DODGERS’ OREL HERSHISER

(1-2, 10.70 ERA)

vs.

CARDINALS’ PAT HENTGEN

(5-6, 5.38 ERA)

* Update--Hershiser is starting for the first time since being recalled from Class-A San Bernardino on Tuesday. Hentgen has struggled in his first season with the Cardinals. The 1996 AL Cy Young Award winner was acquired from the Toronto Blue Jays in an off-season trade.

* Saturday, 1 p.m.--Darren Dreifort (4-4, 4.80) vs. Andy Benes (6-3, 4.71).

* Sunday, 5 p.m.--Chan Ho Park (8-4, 3.99) vs. Darryl Kile (10-3, 4.39).

* Tickets--(323) 224-1HIT.