BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : Rodriguez Has a Short Stay

The Dodgers, who already have lost all-star catcher Mike Piazza because of a torn ligament in his left thumb and third baseman Tim Wallach because of a back injury, took a deep breath when right fielder Henry Rodriguez was forced to leave the game in the bottom of the first inning because of a sore lower right leg.

Rodriguez, who has started 19 of 20 games this season, was hurt when he fouled a ball off his right leg three inches below the kneecap.

He limped to first base after drilling a single down the left-field line to drive in the Dodgers’ first run. Rodriguez, who might have been able to stretch it into a double if he had been able to run better, was pulled for pinch-runner Chris Gwynn and went into the training room to be examined.

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Wallach went hitless in two at-bats in a rehabilitation assignment for the Dodgers’ San Bernardino minor league affiliate in a game against Riverside Wednesday night.

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The abbreviated spring training was supposed to hamper pitchers, but the Dodgers’ starting pitchers are 2-2 with a 1.72 earned-run average in their last six games.

“This is really like about the first week of the regular season, if you take into account a full spring training,” Tom Candiotti said. “Guys around the league, their arms are starting to feel strong and their mechanics are better now, so you start seeing better quality performances.”

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Shortstop Jose Offerman, who hit .210 last season with eight doubles, four triples and one home run, is batting .389 in his last five games.

“I’ve been working with [coach] Manny [Mota],” Offerman said. “I feel real comfortable at home plate.”