DODGERS NOTEBOOK: FLU BELTS SHEFFIELD.

Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer

MILWAUKEE - Gary Sheffield couldn't even walk around the block without a rest. So getting on a plane, flying halfway across the country and playing baseball in any of the next three days is out.

Now, Dodgers manager Davey Johnson is hoping Sheffield can be back in time for Friday's home stand opener against Philadelphia. Sheffield remained at his Los Angeles home trying to recover from a viral infection, and Friday is the new target date.

``He couldn't even handle walking around the block,'' Johnson said. ``I just hope he can get better by Friday. He doesn't sound too good, but he wants to be here. I said Sheff, `Don't even try to feel guilty about not being here. Try to rest and relax and get well.' `'

The Dodgers couldn't stand the thought of losing Sheffield for five games because of suspension, and now they're 7-1 in his absence.

``There's no question we have guys that can play,'' Dodgers second baseman Mark Grudzielanek said, ``but I don't know how long we can keep going without Sheff.''

Even when Sheffield returns, it's going to take him time to regain his strength. Grudzielanek missed six games, bridged by the all-star break, with a viral infection. Grudzielanek also lost 13 pounds. Johnson said Sheffield has lost 10.

Sheffield's hitting .331 and even though he's missed the last week, he still leads the Dodgers in homers (40), RBI (96), runs scored (93) and walks (87).

But Grudzielanek said it took him nearly three weeks to start feeling like his normal self, and by then his timing was out of kilter. Since the all-star break, Grudzielanek's batting .236 with six RBI.

``When you take that much time off and lose weight, it was much more difficult for me to come back than I thought it would be,'' Grudzielanek said. ``I came back too quick. I had no business being in there at all in late July. I lost a lot when I got back. You start doing things that I didn't know I was doing. . . . My hands were different, my feet were different.''

--September call-ups: The Dodgers' return home Friday coincides with rosters expanding from 25 to 40, but because the Triple-A Albuquerque Dukes are heading to the playoffs, the initial call-ups will be minimal.

Catcher Paul LoDuca, who's been recalled twice this season and has expanded his resume by playing outfield and other infield positions, and left-hander Onan Masaoka are expected to join the club for the weekend series against Philadelphia. Infielder Chris Donnels, who's been on the disabled list with a sore right shoulder for the last month, is expected to be activated.

The Dodgers also would like to add a right-handed long-relief man, but they don't want to deprive right-handers Mike Judd or Eric Gagne of the playoff experience in the minors.

However, the Dodgers might take a look at right-hander Luke Prokopec, who's having a strong season at Double-A San Antonio. Prokopec is 7-3 with a 2.45 ERA in 22 starts. In 128 2/3 innings, Prokopec has 124 strikeouts and walked 23.

After Albuquerque's playoff run is over, the Dodgers will look at recalling Judd, Gagne and catching prospect Angel Pena. However, a Dodgers official said recalling Gagne and Judd could depend on the number of innings they will have thrown this season. Lefty Jeff Williams is also a possible September call-up.

--Odds and ends: Left fielder Bruce Aven, who homered twice, was scratched from the starting lineup because of a strained oblique muscle. He's day-to-day. . . . Center fielder Devon White jogged in the outfield and his strained left quadricep felt better. However, Johnson said White remains a few days away from returning.

Time: 5:05 p.m., County Stadium.

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

Update: Dodgers right-hander Chan Ho Park (13-8, 3.66 ERA) tries to continue his impressive run when he faces Brewers right-hander Jimmy Haynes (11-11, 4.81). Park hasn't allowed more than two earned runs in any of his last six starts, and the last time a team scored more than three earned runs against Park was before the All-Star break. Park is 2-0 with a 1.55 ERA in August and 4-2 with a 2.52 ERA since the All-Star break. Haynes is 2-4 with a 5.80 ERA since the All-Star break.

- Brian Dohn

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