DODGERS NOTEBOOK: DODGERS MEET WITH UNION CHIEF.

Byline: Rich Hammond  Staff Writer

Dodgers coaches and front-office members were banished from the clubhouse for more than two hours Monday afternoon as the players met with union boss Donald Fehr in a discussion about the labor issues that could lead to a strike.

Fehr, the executive director of the Major League Baseball Players Association, updated players and answered questions about the collective bargaining issues as part of his ``tour'' through cities in both leagues.

``There's no news here, it's just part of the regular series of meetings that we're having,'' Fehr said. ``We never discuss what we talk about at the individual meetings, but you can safely assume that we discuss all issues relevant to the bargaining and answer questions.

``Guys spend a lot of time talking to one another, and hopefully they come out of it a lot more informed. That's the plan, anyway.''

Dodgers player representative Paul Lo Duca and the rest of his teammates refused comment on any labor matter. Fehr expressed optimism that the labor problems would be resolved without a late-season players' strike but also said there was no fear among the players about what they could face.

``You can't scare these guys, you think people would understand that,'' Fehr said. ``They are here, in part, because they want to compete, they want to get things done, and they don't give up. I think the fairest thing to say is that they understand that we have a lot of work to do and this is a very serious business.

``Hopefully, we'll find a way to get it done. Nobody wants a strike, It's a last resort that you get to and we hope to find a way to get it done so that those considerations become newspaper speculation and not much else.''

--Not done yet: The Dodgers' attempt to acquire infielder/outfielder Frank Catalanotto from Texas seemed to take a hit when Rangers outfielder Rusty Greer went on the 15-day disabled list Monday. The Dodgers still hope to complete a deal in the next few days and sent Triple-A infielder Joe Thurston to Texas for Catalanotto.

--Positive step: Darren Dreifort, recovering from Tommy John elbow surgery, threw 34 pitches in a simulated game three hours before Monday's game, the only notable at-bat being a home run by Dave Hansen.

``I was impressed,'' Dodgers manager Jim Tracy said. ``We had 16 pitches in the first inning, we had an eight-minute sitdown in between innings and then 18 more. He used all his pitches and that's important to me. We're not overly concerned about whether every one of those pitches is going pinpoint exactly where we want it to go.''

Dreifort will be re-evaluated today and is expected to throw either another simulated game or a bullpen session before the end of the week. He will need a rehabilitation stint in the minor leagues before a return to the Dodgers.

``We'll see how it feels,'' Dreifort said. ``It could be a bullpen and then a simulated game, or a simulated game and then a bullpen.''

DODGERS vs. ST. LOUIS

Time: 12:10 p.m., Dodger Stadium.

TV/Radio: Fox Sports Net 2; 1150-AM, 1330-AM (Spanish).

Matchup: Dodgers RH Hideo Nomo (9-5, 3.12 ERA) is 7-0 in his last 11 starts (2.60 ERA in 72 2/3 innings) and is coming off one of his best starts of the season, even though he didn't get a victory. Nomo allowed three runs (two earned) in seven innings last Thursday against Arizona, but the Dodgers committed three errors and lost 4-3. St. Louis RH Andy Benes (0-2, 10.80 ERA) has recovered enough from an arthritic right knee to make his first start since April 15. Benes is 8-11 lifetime against the Dodgers with a 3.32 ERA.

- Rich Hammond

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DODGERS vs. ST. LOUIS (see text)