DODGERS NOTEBOOK: HUNDLEY'S SURGERY SLATED FOR THURSDAY.

Byline: Jill Painter Staff Writer

It's official. Catcher Todd Hundley will have back surgery.

Last week, Hundley told the Daily News he expected to have surgery to remove a disc fragment in his lower back. He will have the surgery performed Thursday by Dr. Robert Watkins.

Hundley tried to manage the pain, but three epidural injections were unsuccessful. The Dodgers are hoping he'll be back before the end of the season.

``He was going back and forth with (the pain),'' Dodgers manager Jim Tracy said. ``He had a good day, two bad days, another good day, another bad day. If we continue where we're at right now, we're just losing days on the calendar, and we're running the risk of prolonging it, thinking that something good is going to happen consistently over an extended period of time. And if then, if in fact, he does need the surgery, we'll lose him for the whole year.''

The Dodgers will continue to use David Ross as a backup to catcher Paul Lo Duca.

Also, pitcher Troy Brohawn had arthroscopic surgery on his left rotator cuff Tuesday, and the Dodgers said the surgery went well. He could return before the end of the season.

--Draft day: Chad Billingsley had talked to the Dodgers on Monday and had a good idea they would select him with their 24th pick in the first round of Tuesday's amateur draft.

``I was still nervous the whole time, when the Dodgers called my name there was an explosion (in the room),'' Billingsley said in a conference call. ``It was a great feeling, like a dream come true. Now, I have another dream to play major-league baseball for them someday.''

But first, the Dodgers must sign Billingsley, a right-handed pitcher from Defiance High in Ohio. Dodgers scouting director Logan White said he is confident the club could sign Billingsley in a timely manner.

Billingsley, who throws in the mid-90s, said he wants to begin playing as soon as possible.

``A lot of people compare me to a power pitcher; I have good stuff. I describe myself as a pitcher. I go out and try to get people out. I'm never satisfied with where I'm at. I want to get there as fast as I can and do what it takes to make it.''

Billingsley throws a changeup, curveball, slider and fastball.

--News and notes: The UCLA softball team, which won the national championship, had a chance to tour Dodger Stadium and was introduced before Tuesday's game. Dodgers outfielder Dave Roberts, a UCLA product, ran over to the group during batting practice, shook their hands and said: ``You guys are making me proud to be a Bruin.'' ... Closer Eric Gagne was sporting a sunburn Tuesday, a product of a day in the sun at the Dodgers' charity golf tournament Monday.

Jill Painter, [phone]

jill.painter(at)dailynews.com