DODGERS NOTEBOOK: GRUDZIELANEK SHAKY BUT EXPECTED TO START 2ND BASEMAN FIGHTS TO REGAIN STRENGTH.

Byline: Matt McHale Staff Writer

Dodgers second baseman Mark Grudzielanek has gained back two pounds from the 10 he lost while missing more than a week with a viral infection. But the true test of his condition comes tonight when he returns to the starting lineup against Colorado.

Grudzielanek is trying to find his legs after striking out all three times he batted during the series with the Pittsburgh Pirates. He has said he will need five more days to be 100 percent, but progress remains slow.

In Tuesday's 8-6 loss, Grudzielanek came up with the bases loaded in the seventh and two outs and took a called third strike from left-hander Jason Christiansen to end the inning.

Sunday night, he told the club he could hit but was still rocky and had to be reminded by the home-plate umpire when he struck out in the seventh. He remained in the game at second and also fanned during the Dodgers' six-run eighth.

Overall, he stranded six base runners in the series.

``He is getting better, but it is still going to take some time,'' said Jim Tracy, who managed his third game in place of ailing Davey Johnson. ``This thing really has taken a lot out of him and there is no rushing him back too quick.''

Grudzielanek, who batted .326 in 123 games last year as the team's shortstop, came into Tuesday's game hitting .301 with five homers and 31 RBI.

--More Davey: Johnson remained in the hospital for a third day, undergoing tests for an irregular heartbeat. ``I talked to him last night and he sounded pretty good,'' Tracy said. ``He was in good spirits, but you could tell how much he wants to get back.''

Johnson is expected to return to the club before the end of the home stand, which runs through Sunday.

--Spring-training update: The Vero Beach, Fla., City Council and Indian River County Commission will meet Monday to consider a memo detailing a $19 million public buyout that would keep the Dodgers training there for at least 20 years.

The meeting is only designed to outline where the money will be spent and does not seal the deal in favor of Vero Beach. The club still is considering an offer from Las Vegas, which is putting together plans for a spring complex that will accommodate six major-league teams.

But the Dodgers hope to have a decision by September.

``It is just a process document and doesn't get us any closer to getting the deal done,'' Dodgers vice president Derrick Hall said. ``These are just broad-range parameters that have been agreed upon with all of the fine detail still needing to be worked out.''

The money will be spent to renovate Holman Stadium, surrounding practice fields and locker rooms. Among the issues under review are details about parking and concession revenue.

--Quick hits: Dodgers reliever Antonio Osuna took over for starter Mike Judd and pitched a season-high three innings. Osuna allowed two hits and an unearned run. . . . The Dodgers scored 22 runs in the series, the most by the team in a three-game set since May 19-21 when they swept the Florida Marlins. . . . Pittsburgh starter Todd Ritchie, who won a club-high 15 games last season, did not get out of the third inning Tuesday, allowing nine hits and six runs. . . . Former Dodgers reliever Roger McDowell (1991-94) was a clubhouse visitor before the game.