DODGERS NOTEBOOK: DODGERS HIGH ON BOONE'S LIST.

Byline: Tony Jackson Staff Writer

MIAMI - Free-agent third baseman Aaron Boone, who is expected to be fully recovered by midseason from a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, said Thursday the Dodgers are high on the list of clubs for which he would like to play.

``It's fair to say that would be an ideal situation,'' said Boone, who grew up in Villa Park and lives in Newport Beach but is moving in a few days to a new home outside Phoenix. ``It's definitely a team that wants to win and that you feel like has a chance to compete every year. Those are two appealing factors.''

Boone, a former standout at USC, said about 20 clubs have made initial inquiries to his agent, Adam Katz.

``But it's a matter of what level of inquiry,'' Boone said. ``Some teams probably just called because they know I'm out there. I'm sure it's a much smaller percentage that want to sit down and seriously negotiate.''

Boone, 31, was released by the New York Yankees after he tore his ACL playing pickup basketball in January. He began running last week and said he ``fully expects'' to be playing in a couple of months. The Dodgers are believed to have a strong interest in Boone despite the fact third baseman Adrian Beltre is having the best season of his career. Beltre is a free agent after 2004. If Beltre re-signs with the club, Boone also can play second base.

Boone moved to second for the start of the 2003 season with Cincinnati - and played adequately there - so Brandon Larson could play third. But Boone was moved back to third just three weeks into the season when Larson was sent to the minors.

It isn't clear whether it would take a multiyear offer to entice Boone.

``It would depend on the situation,'' he said. ``That's a gray answer, but it's the truth.''

Boone would like to play for a National League West club that trains in Arizona, and the Dodgers are the only team in the division that doesn't. But he stressed that is only a preference and is in no way a requirement.

``It's not going to sway me too much,'' he said. ``We'll wait and see what's out there.''

Boone said he expects serious negotiations to begin in about six weeks.

--Roberts update: Left fielder Dave Roberts' strained right hamstring continued to improve to the point he was able to walk and jog during batting practice. He might return to the lineup tonight, when the Dodgers open a three-game series at Pittsburgh.

``We just want to make sure I'm 100 percent before I go back out there,'' Roberts said. ``I was totally inactive (Wednesday), so I'll be a little more active (Thursday) and see where I'm at. We'll wait and see how it responds (today).''

Roberts hurt himself Tuesday night, sliding into second on a stolen-base attempt.

--Werth update: Reserve outfielder Jayson Werth, who has been out since the second day of the season with a strained oblique, also continues to improve. When the team left for Pittsburgh after Thursday night's game at Florida, Werth stayed behind and will report today to extended spring training in Vero Beach, about 150 miles north of Pro Player Stadium.

Werth has taken live batting practice the past two days and will continue to work out at Dodgertown. He is expected to begin a rehabilitation assignment at Triple-A Las Vegas soon.

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- Tony Jackson