BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : Relief in the Clubhouse

There was a sense of relief in the Dodger clubhouse after the jury’s verdict Saturday in the federal civil rights trial against four LAPD officers accused of beating motorist Rodney G. King.

Darryl Strawberry and Eric Davis had drawn some criticism for inviting King to the team’s home opener Tuesday.

The players had befriended King in recent months.

“It’s over and done with,” Strawberry said of the trial. “All you can do is be thankful. I just think everything is going to work out well.”

The Dodgers were monitoring the trial closely. Four home games were postponed last April after violence broke out when the verdicts were announced in the state trial against the four officers.

But Saturday night, all was quiet at Dodger Stadium.

“I think everyone feels pretty good about what has taken place today,” said Fred Claire, Dodger vice president.

Claire said the team had a contingency plan in case of trouble and stayed in contact with city officials.

“Any time a city is faced with a situation, you just prepare the best you can,” Claire said. “I think most important . . . is just a sense of relief that everything has gone as well today as it’s gone.”

Shortstop Kevin Elster, recovering from an injured throwing shoulder, will report Tuesday to the Dodgers’ extended spring training camp at Port St. Lucie, Fla. Elster is expected to remain there for at least a week while the Dodgers evaluate his progress.

“He will not just be playing every game,” Claire said, “but he can bat every inning. It’s a pretty good controlled situation to have Kevin.”

If the Dodgers do not activate Elster to the major league roster by May 15, he will become a free agent.

Catcher Mike Piazza extended his hitting streak to 10 games with a first-inning home run against Pittsburgh starter Dave Otto. Piazza began the game batting .314 and having thrown out 10 of 14 runners attempting to steal.

And he is still getting used to being a big leaguer.

“It’s not that I feel uncomfortable,” Piazza said. “But I haven’t really settled in. I know I still have to keep working hard.”