DODGERS NOTEBOOK: DODGERS IN JAPAN?

Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. - Major League Baseball and the Dodgers have had preliminary discussions regarding beginning the 2004 season outside North America, a high-ranking baseball official said. The likely target will be Japan, where a season-opening two-game series between the Oakland Athletics and Seattle Mariners will be played next week.

The Dodgers are pressing the issue, but the New York Yankees are also an option. Both clubs make sense given their popularity in Japan, especially with former Japanese stars on their rosters.

Dodgers right-hander Hideo Nomo, who starred for Kintetsu, was the trailblazer for the crop of players leaving Japan to play in the major leagues and is likely to remain on the roster next season. He needs to pitch 139 2/3 innings this season for a $9 million option to vest for 2004.

The Dodgers also have left-handed starter Kazuhisa Ishii, who pitched for Yakult for 10 seasons. There is also a possibility Kazuo Matsui, a shortstop for the Seibu Lions, will sign a free-agent deal with the highly interested Dodgers in the offseason.

``We've expressed an interest and willingness to participate in a regular-season game or open (the season) outside of the country,'' Dodgers senior vice president Derrick Hall said. ``We understand our popularity internationally and would love to play in front of those fans and promote the Dodgers while, at the same time, promoting the game of baseball worldwide.''

The Yankees also would be an enormous draw in Japan because of their recent acquisition of Japanese outfielder Hideki Matsui.

``There have been no formal discussions with any club regarding the start of (the 2004) season,'' Major League Baseball spokesman Pat Courtney said.

--Brawl banter: Although members of the New York Mets organization give guarded responses about possible retaliation for Dodgers right-hander Guillermo Mota's plunking of Mets catcher Mike Piazza, Dodgers right fielder Shawn Green said he wouldn't be shocked to be thrown at during the two-game series this weekend in Mexico City.

``I'm not worried about it,'' Green said. ``(The potential) may be there. It's happened before. I've gotten hit in retaliation before. The way I look at it is the only way it can be upsetting in that position is if something happens in a dangerous manner. I don't think I deserve to get hit in that situation, but if it's going to end things, or whatever, than what am I going to do?''

Baseball officials spoke with both teams to tell them the series would be closely monitored.

``We've given them full reassurance that we're just going down there to play baseball,'' Mets general manager Steve Phillips said. ``There's nothing we can do now, other than wait for word (about suspensions) from the commissioner's office. There's not a forum in which there's any reason to retaliate. Could there be a rogue pitcher? I suppose. But I think everyone knows what the priorities are right now.''

Mets manager Art Howe spoke with his club about the incident in a closed-door meeting Thursday.

``Nothing's gonna happen, at least not intentional,'' Howe said.

Dodgers general manager Dan Evans spoke with Bob Watson, baseball's top disciplinarian, and conveyed his feelings on the incident. Watson said he is reviewing videotape of the incident but had more interviews to conduct. He said to expect a decision Monday or Tuesday.

Evans also spoke with Sandy Alderson, executive vice president of baseball operations.

``It was made real clear to us this is an international stage that can't be compromised,'' Evans said. ``That was always our feelings from the beginning. One thing I stressed to Steve Phillips (Thursday) night was that we need to be real ambassadors of the game Saturday and Sunday, and we've been assured by Major League Baseball and I've talked to the Mets and there aren't going to be any follow-ups to what occurred in Port St. Lucie (Fla.) the other night.''

--Rotation rhetoric: Right-hander Kevin Brown battled a hard, slippery pitcher's mound but threw four impressive shutout innings against Cleveland and was as sharp as he's been all spring. He threw 67 pitches and lowered his spring ERA to 0.90.

``I'm still walking after that one. I'm just happy,'' Brown said. ``If I can walk (today), I would say that's a good indication.''

Right-hander Andy Ashby, who appears to be heading to the bullpen, was roughed up again. He allowed seven runs in two innings as his spring ERA rose to 17.47 in three outings.

--Odds and ends: A likely season-starting suspension for Mota might force manager Jim Tracy to scrap a plan to begin the season with three catchers because he wants to have 11 available pitchers. ... Utility player Mike Kinkade will catch minor-league games next week to enhance his versatility. ... Third baseman Ron Coomer started at first base and could be playing his way onto the team, Tracy said. Coomer is batting .300 with four homers.

CAPTION(S):

photo, box

Photo:

DAN EVANS

Dodgers GM says there won't be ``follow-ups to what occurred ... the other night.''

Box:

DODGERS vs. NEW YORK METS

- Brian Dohn