DODGERS NOTEBOOK: CARLYLE HOPING TO GET START.

Byline: Tony Jackson  Staff Writer

SAN FRANCISCO - The Dodgers brought right-hander Buddy Carlyle back to the big leagues on Tuesday, purchasing his contract from Triple-A Las Vegas to fill the spot vacated when Odalis Perez went on the 15-day disabled list.

Although manager Jim Tracy wouldn't admit it, Carlyle immediately became the obvious candidate to draw Saturday's unassigned start at Arizona.

``He's a candidate,'' was all Tracy would say. ``We'll wait and see how the next couple of days go. That could eliminate somebody.''

After being demoted to Las Vegas on May 3, Carlyle made three starts for the 51s, going 0-1 with a 6.59 ERA that primarily was the result of one bad start, May 8 against Sacramento.

Carlyle's only real competitor for the upcoming assignment is rookie reliever D.J. Houlton, a career starter in the minors, but the fact that Houlton hasn't pitched more than two innings in any outing this year all but eliminates him.

``I have started my whole (career), but I'm not worried about it,'' Carlyle said. ``I'm just looking forward to getting to pitch out of the bullpen in the big leagues.

--Werth close: Rehabilitating left fielder Jayson Werth finally got the extra-base hit Tracy was looking for from him, a solo home run in Las Vegas' win Monday over Round Rock (Texas). More important, Werth hasn't reported soreness in his left wrist for several days, meaning he could be activated after his rehab assignment expires tonight.

Heading into Tuesday, Werth had recovered from a slow start to raise his average to .31.

--Drew examined: Right fielder J.D. Drew underwent an MRI on Monday to determine the cause of chronic soreness in his right wrist he says he has experienced since spring training. The exam showed no structural damage, and Drew remained in the lineup Tuesday. He said if the pain continues, he likely will undergo a more definitive MRI involving dye injection, which usually causes a player to miss a game or two.