BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : Players Not Full of Good Will Now

The Dodgers are exploring the possibility of a good-will trip to Japan and Korea in November, but most players seem to be against it.

“This team is expected to go to the World Series,” third baseman Mike Blowers said. “You go that far, and the season is so long anyway, that’s the last thing you want to do is pack your bags for another trip.”

Catcher Mike Piazza agreed, saying, “You have 162 games--and the playoffs are longer--you might find guys totally spent. It’s a thing that might not be in the best interest of the players.”

Said owner Peter O’Malley, “There’s a lot of interest there, but I would be interested only if the players want to go.”

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O’Malley said he is encouraged that baseball, despite the strike that interrupted the 1994 season and delayed the start of last season, soon will regain its popularity.

“I was concerned the healing process would take a long time,” he said. “I’m optimistic now. I think we can come back sooner than we thought. We need [a collective bargaining] agreement, and I think that will mean a lot to the public when we have a partnership with the players.”

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Ismael Valdes pitched three shutout innings in the Dodgers’ 5-0 exhibition victory over the Montreal Expos. “Valdes has a chance to be one of the best pitchers in baseball in the next couple of years,” Manager Tom Lasorda said. . . . Billy Ashley, competing for the starting job in left field, continues to struggle. He went hitless in three at-bats and struck out twice. He has no hits this spring.