DODGERS' PROSPECT OK.

Byline: Tony Jackson Staff Writer

Dodgers pitching prospect Greg Miller's ailing left shoulder was found to be structurally sound after he was examined by team physician Dr. Frank Jobe last week. Miller won't return to the Phoenix Desert Dogs of the Arizona Fall League because their season ends Nov. 10, but he is expected to be ready for action by the start of spring training.

``Everything checked out great,'' Dodgers scouting director Logan White said Saturday. ``It was just a case of him having laid off for a few weeks (after the minor-league season), then he came back out and was feeling pretty good, so he ran it up to 95 (mph). He got a little too high with his arm angle, and when he does that, he impinges (his shoulder) a little bit, and that gets him a little tender.''

Meanwhile, although player development director Terry Collins said last week the Dodgers wouldn't send another player to replace Miller on the Desert Dogs' roster, Collins has changed his mind. Right-hander Casey Hoorelbeke, whom the Dodgers signed two years ago as an undrafted free agent and who since has gone 15-8 with a 3.12 ERA in two seasons at Class A, will fill Miller's spot the rest of the AFL season.

Hoorelbeke, 25, had been pitching in Instructional League games at the Dodgers' spring training complex in Vero Beach, Fla., before that league's season was shut down because of Hurricane Wilma. He is not considered to be among the organization's top prospects.

Miller, still two weeks shy of his 21st birthday, missed all of last season and most of this year after shoulder surgery. He returned this summer, but threw just 22 2/3 innings over 17 appearances, mostly in relief, at Class A Vero Beach and Double-A Jacksonville.

Tony Jackson,[phone]

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