BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : Karros Hits, but Sees Albuquerque in Future

Eric Karros continued to lead the Dodgers in batting--and frustration--Monday after his two-run homer had given them their only runs in a 4-2 loss to Cincinnati.

Karros, who has four hits in six spring at-bats, including two doubles, and a team-leading four runs batted in, said his situation is clear. With Kal Daniels playing well at first base, Karros is headed back to triple-A Albuquerque for a second season.

“I thought I would come here with a legitimate opportunity to play first base, but I see there’s a line, and I’m last in that line,� he said. “I just want a chance to play here or somewhere else.

“I don’t want to get buried in the Los Angeles Dodger farm system. I’ve seen it happen to other guys. I’ve seen what happened to Chris Gwynn. I know there are other teams out there. . . .�

Fred Claire, Dodger vice president, squelched any thought that Karros might be traded. The Dodgers still consider Daniels a short-term solution at first base because he can become a free agent at the end of the season.

“When we did not sign Eddie Murray to a two-year contract, if Eric did not get the message, he was not listening,� Claire said. “There is no question, we are looking closely at Kal, and Kal has a proven power bat. But things change fast in today’s game, and Eric is still a very important part of our plans.�

Instead of traveling to Plant City, Fla., Eric Davis remained at Dodgertown in Vero Beach, because of a slightly sore right shoulder.

“Just a little soreness, no big deal,� assistant trainer Charlie Strasser said. “Eric thinks it may have come from air conditioning in his place.�

Davis probably didn’t help himself Saturday at Port St. Lucie when he made a diving catch in left field.

“I only know one way to play, and that’s hard,� Davis said after the catch.

Ramon Martinez pitched three scoreless innings, giving up two hits. . . . Todd Benzinger said he is suffering from a sore shoulder, but he still has five hits in nine at-bats, including two doubles. . . . Mike Sharperson, working to shed nine extra pounds, is hitless in eight at-bats. . . . Carlos Hernandez is hitless in seven at-bats.