BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : Team Eagerly Awaits Butler’s Return

After hearing the reports that doctors are optimistic about center fielder Brett Butler’s recovery from cancer surgery, the Dodgers have one more prayer: They want him back in uniform in September.

“I’d love to see him back, we all would,” said infielder/outfielder Chad Fonville. “He was a big part of this team. I’m sure it would make him feel a lot better being around, and it might get us going. It would be just so nice to see him laugh, have fun again, all that.

“But I had no doubt he’d be fine because he had all of our prayers with him. The Lord is on his side. The Lord takes good care of people like him.”

Butler, who will begin radiation treatments for six weeks beginning June 4, told Manager Tom Lasorda that he definitely wants to return. The Dodgers are even planning on it. They have left his locker intact, and will carry his uniform on the road.

“We miss him, we miss him a lot,” said Lasorda, who organized a team prayer before Butler’s surgery. “We miss him as a player too, not just as a person. We’re playing two young men out there [Roger Cedeno and Todd Hollandsworth] who don’t have the experience. Most of all, though, we’re concerned with his life.

“I can’t tell you how many calls and letters I’ve gotten who expressed their concern for Brett. That’s a tribute to him.”

Said third baseman Mike Blowers: “It would be so great just to see him back. It doesn’t matter if he plays or not. Just to have him sitting in uniform would be great for everybody.”

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Professional golfer Paul Azinger, who has come back from cancer, made a surprise appearance at Dodger Stadium and met with the Dodger players and coaching staff.

Dodger hitting coach Reggie Smith, who was mailed a lithograph of Azinger that ironically arrived earlier in the day, had Azinger autograph it while also writing an inspirational message to Butler. It will be mailed to Butler today.

“He’s going to get through this thing,” Azinger said.

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The Dodgers benched Cedeno for a day and instead started Hollandsworth in center and Milt Thompson in left field. Cedeno, who has been bothered by a sore right hamstring, has struggled a bit defensively. He permitted Met center fielder Lance Johnson to stretch a single into a double in the eighth inning Monday. The Dodgers also wanted to get Thompson in the lineup against Met starter Pete Harnisch. Thompson has a career .409 batting average against Harnisch with a .591 slugging percentage. . . . Roving instructor Mike Scioscia, who many believe is the heir apparent to Lasorda, is tentatively planning to manage in winter ball this year. Scioscia is a favorite among Dodger players and front-office officials. . . . Met starter Mark Clark, who pitched a complete game Saturday, will start today on three days’ rest.