BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : Howell Is Nearly Ready

Although he said his elbow was tender after throwing Friday and Saturday, Jay Howell said he will come off the disabled list early this week. The bullpen has has gone 4-6 with a 3.87 ERA and four saves during his monthlong absence.

Howell canceled plans for a simulated game because he said his weekend work was enough.

With a controversial scoring decision, the New York Mets tied a National League record in the third inning with four consecutive doubles against Bob Ojeda and Mike Hartley. The third double, by Dwight Gooden against Ojeda, came as Chris Gwynn bobbled Gooden’s bouncer in left field. . . . Darryl Strawberry ended his regular season at Shea Stadium by chatting with the fans along the right-field line. “They told me they missed me and I said, ‘You sure do have a funny way of showing it.’ �

For the first time in five appearances, Hartley did not give up a run, going 2 2/3 innings. . . . Dennis Cook, who is a candidate for demotion when Howell returns, has given up a hit or a walk in all but two of 13 appearances despite a 1.17 ERA.