DODGERS NOTEBOOK: `NOTHING' NEW ON SALE FRONT.

Byline: Jill Painter Staff Writer

PHILADELPHIA - The sale of the Dodgers from Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. to Malcolm Glazer, which was agreed upon in May, is not yet complete and won't be approved at the baseball owners meeting next month because it isn't on the agenda, a source close to the situation said Tuesday.

The Daily News first reported Glazer, who also owns the Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers, was finalizing an agreement to purchase the Dodgers and was in exclusive negotiations. Glazer still has to work out issues with the NFL, namely the league's cross-ownership rules, according to sources.

``Our discussions with the Glazers are continuing,'' News Corp. spokeswoman Teri Everett said. ``Nothing has changed.''

The owners meeting is Aug. 13-14 in Boston. The next meeting isn't for several months, but that doesn't mean the owners couldn't convene by conference call after the World Series if necessary.

News Corp. is expected to sell the team for anywhere between $375 million to $450 million, according to sources.

--Injury report: Fred McGriff, on the disabled list since July 6 with a strained groin, resumed a light running program in Los Angeles on Monday. McGriff was slowed last week because of a right knee injury and was not able to run.

McGriff has chondromalacia, which is an inflammation in the knee. It's an injury especially common in long-distance runners. It's not expected to require surgery.

``He's 39 and he's played baseball for 18 years,'' trainer Stan Johnston said.

Johnston said McGriff believes the injury was caused by exercises he was doing to heal the groin strain.

McGriff, who is second on the team in home runs with 12, has been out 23 days and, while the timetable for his return sounds simple - ``As soon as he feels he can run full speed without any problems,'' Johnston said - there is no telling when that might be.

--Izturis ill: Shortstop Cesar Izturis didn't start because of flu-like symptoms. He was ill Sunday but was back to eating solid food Monday.

Jolbert Cabrera started at shortstop for the third time this season. Manager Jim Tracy said he intended to play Cabrera at first base, but when he found out Izturis couldn't go, moved Cabrera to short and started Larry Barnes at first.

--Pitching department: The Dodgers' impeccable pitching this season - a league-best 3.03 ERA - hasn't saved the team's sluggish offense. However, still buying into the theory that pitching and defense wins championships, Tracy believes his team will be in contention for playoff spot in August and September.

``We have the best pitching in the National League,'' Tracy said. ``Pitching is definitely a premium at this point of the season. I'm not saying we're the favorite (to win the wild card). I'm nowhere close to saying that. But if, pitching-wise, we continue this way, then we have an advantage in that department.''

Philadelphia isn't far behind in the pitching department, ranked second in the NL with a 3.69 ERA.

Tracy set the pitching rotation through the off day Aug. 18. Hideo Nomo, who won his 12th game Sunday, will pitch on five days' rest and start Friday at Atlanta. He'll also pitch Aug. 7, Aug. 12 and Aug. 17. The Dodgers don't have an off day from Aug. 5-17.

Andy Ashby will pitch Saturday and Kazuhisa Ishii on Sunday.

--Roster move: Relief pitcher Rodney Myers was designated for assignment and utility player Jason Romano was recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas. ... Ron Coomer (jaw) is making a rehab stint in Single-A Vero Beach on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Tracy said Coomer will be activated for Sunday's game with the Atlanta Braves.

--Playing time: Barnes made his second consecutive start at first base and fifth this season. He had the game-winning single in the Dodgers 1-0 win over the Diamondbacks on Sunday.

``My goal is to get in there, get some playing time and help the team,'' he said. ``I just try to make good contact. I don't start often, so I try to be aggressive.''

Barnes wasn't drafted out of Fresno State but signed with the Angels in 1995. He advanced in their farm system and the Dodgers signed him to a minor league contract in November.

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- Jill Painter