DODGERS NOTEBOOK: DAVEY WILL GET CHANCE TO DISCUSS HIS FUTURE.

Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer

Before the Dodgers announce anything about the future of Davey Johnson, the veteran manager will get a chance to speak to the people in the front office making the decision.

Johnson will meet with managing general partner, CEO and chairman Bob Daly after the season to discuss the situation. Though a date for the meeting hasn't been set, it's expected to be within a week of the end of the season.

The Dodgers, who have 10 games remaining, conclude the season Oct. 1 in San Diego. But Daly isn't expected to attend either of the final two games at Qualcomm Stadium so as to not feed the speculative fire about Johnson.

``We've made no determination on Davey's standing, and will not do so until we sit down with him at the end of the season,'' Dodgers vice president Derrick Hall said. ``At that time, we plan on having various open and honest discussions to get feelings from both sides.''

Johnson opted not to talk about his future, but he has said he's proud of some of the things that were accomplished this season, particularly in developing the middle of the infield.

And among the issues that figure to be discussed during the season-ending meeting is the improvement the Dodgers made over 1999. They entered Tuesday with two more wins (79) this season than a year ago and did it with their Nos. 4 and 5 starters a combined 10-25 - with three of those wins coming in the last week.

``When you compare what happened this year to what happened last year, I said before that we made progress,'' Johnson said. ``It's somewhat clouded in that we had more injuries this year than last year. . . . But I think all those factors are factors that have been factored in. The bottom line is we're not close enough. We need to win.''

--Sheffield out, again: Dodgers left fielder Gary Sheffield was out of the lineup for the third time in four days because of his ailing back. Sheffield was examined by back specialist Dr. Jae Chon, but X-rays were negative. Sheffield was diagnosed as having lumbar strain, which should be corrected through an exercise program.

Sheffield isn't expected to return until the weekend, which puts a crimp in his pursuit of Duke Snider's franchise home run mark of 43. Sheffield seemed to be a cinch to break it, but injury and illness has cost him 14 games in the last month and he has one home run since Aug. 19 and stands at 41.

``I need to shut it down and rehab my back and take a couple of days and get my strength back,'' Sheffield said. ``They said if I kept playing with it, I'd irritate it and make it something serious.''