DODGERS NOTEBOOK: DODGERS' DEPTH SHOWS IN BULLPEN THEY COULD OPEN WITH 12 PITCHERS.

Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer

VERO BEACH, Fla. - All indications are Dodgers manager Davey Johnson would prefer to begin the season with 11 pitchers, including six in the bullpen. But the bullpen depth the Dodgers have in camp, coupled with contracts, may force the club to break camp with 12 pitchers.

It could boil down to two factors:

First, if lefty Carlos Perez is awful in spring training and begins the season in the minor leagues, Orel Hershiser could move from the bullpen to the starting rotation. That would allow the Dodgers to keep an extra reliever on the 25-man roster.

Second, if the Dodgers can package a pair of right-handers to acquire a quality, veteran left-hander. Tops on the trading block is right-hander Alan Mills, in the second year of a three-year deal.

Either of those scenarios could allow the Dodgers to remain with 11 pitchers and keep right-hander Mike Fetters in the mix. The former Pepperdine standout has dazzled the first 10 days of camp, but contract issues can force the Dodgers' hand.

Fetters has a clause in his contract that he can opt for free agency if he doesn't make the major-league roster. The Dodgers would hate to lose a fit Fetters because his sinker ball induces double plays late in games.

``The one thing you have to hold on to at all costs is pitching, and your pitching depth,'' Johnson said. ``And we have some depth, unlike this time last year, when we were paper thin. Now we have some veterans that can handle that role, and I don't want to lose that depth.''

Johnson, who preaches the importance of bullpen and bench almost daily, has a month to settle the issue. Closer Jeff Shaw and set-up men Gregg Olson and Terry Adams are givens. Mills looms as the top set-up guy if he's not used to lure a lefty. Hershiser also fits in the mix. Lefties Jeff Williams and Onan Masaoka may battle for one spot.

But the Dodgers also have Dan Naulty, Fetters, Matt Herges and Jamie Arnold as right-handers, and all but Fetter can be sent to the minor leagues. Also, Antonio Osuna remains ahead of schedule on his rehab program.

Johnson said he'd like to have it figured out before the club breaks camp and plays a pair of exhibition games in Toronto on March 31 and April 1.

``Ideally, that last week I'd like to have a place for everybody and not have to re-arrange the whole roster to accommodate and protect,'' Johnson said. ``There's contract issues and options. Things generally have a way of working things out.''

--Don't forget the hitting: With Mark Grudzielanek's change from shortstop to second, he's spent so much time working in the field that he hasn't spent much time in the batting cage.

For Grudzielanek, who loves to hit, that isn't a good thing. Luckily for him, though, it shouldn't take long to find his stroke.

``I'm worried about hitting because I haven't done it much,'' said Grudzielanek, who set a Dodgers record for shortstops with a .326 average last season. ``I've leaving one side away. I have to try and get back to where I was at the end of the year.''

--Meeting Las Vegas: A meeting of many minds, including those of the Dodgers front office, will take place in Las Vegas on March 6 as six teams hold a super summit to discuss a mega-complex for spring training.

Dodgers president and COO Bob Graziano said the club is involved in discussions involving Las Vegas, but since no teams train there it would take an agreement from at least four teams before a complex could be built.

This provides that opportunity. The Dodgers will joined by representatives of the Baltimore Orioles, Toronto Blue Jays, Cleveland Indians, Houston Astros and Texas Rangers. Each of the teams currently train in Florida.

The Dodgers are also entertaining ideas about setting up their spring camp in Florida or Arizona, though officials from both areas are wary of the money Las Vegas can put together.

``They have so much money they could put something together in a month or two,'' said Robert Brinton, director for the Mesa (Ariz.) Convention and Business Bureau and treasurer of the Cactus League. ``I think Las Vegas has everyone concerned. They're talking only about teams in Florida, and Las Vegas is saying they're not targeting Arizona, but that could change quickly.''

--Odds and ends: Johnson said it's likely righty Mike Judd and lefty Jeff Williams, along with a host of veteran relievers, will pitch in Friday's Grapefruit League season opener against Houston.

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Photo: Mark Grudzielanek, who set a Dodgers batting-average record for shortstops (.326) last season, has been concentrating more on his fielding since shifting to second base.

Pablo Martinez Monsivais/Associated Press