DODGERS NOTEBOOK: FLORIDA AFFILIATE DROPPED.

Byline: TONY JACKSON Staff Writer

DENVER -- The Dodgers' announcement Thursday that they no longer will field a Florida State League affiliate at their spring-training facility in Vero Beach, Fla., is a clear indication the club plans to move its spring-training operations to the Phoenix area, possibly as soon as 2009.

For geographic reasons, the club will switch its high Single-A affiliation to San Bernardino in the California League, beginning next season.

``Our baseball operations department wanted to have closer proximity to our minor- league prospects,'' said Camille Johnston, the Dodgers' vice president for communications.

``This also offers a location for our major-league players who need a minor-league rehabilitation.''

As for the spring-training move, no agreement has been reached either with Glendale, Ariz., or Goodyear, Ariz., the two Phoenix suburbs hoping to receive state funding for a proposed two-team complex. Funding is available for only one such complex, and the Dodgers are believed to strongly prefer Glendale, home of the NFL's Arizona Cardinals and the NHL's Phoenix Coyotes.

Given that no agreement is yet in place, the Dodgers are unlikely to hold spring training in Arizona before 2009.

The Dodgers will continue to field a team in the rookie-level Gulf Coast League and hold extended spring training at Dodgertown in Vero Beach.

But GCL and extended spring games are played on the back fields of the complex before a handful of lawnchair-toting fans. FSL games are played in the main stadium, with admission charged. Holman Stadium, the Dodgers' home field for the past 59 springs, will now host a Tampa Bay affiliate, an obvious sign the Dodgers are beginning to sever ties with Vero Beach.

Growing concern: Dodgers right-hander Brad Penny was bothered by lower back stiffness for the second start in a row in Thursday's 19-11 win over Colorado. This time, it knocked him out of the game after a shaky first inning in which he gave up a three-run homer to Matt Holliday.

``It was stiff and wouldn't loosen up,'' said Penny, who initially felt it warming up. ``Any time something like this happens, it has to be a little bit (of a concern).''

The situation could jeopardize Penny's spot on the playoff roster if the Dodgers get there. For now, manager Grady Little tentatively plans to use Penny on three days' rest if the Dodgers face a tiebreaker game Monday. But if Penny is healthy enough to go, that would be made easier by the fact he threw just 35 pitches in this game.