DODGERS NOTEBOOK: HUNDLEY COMFORTABLE AND READY TO RUMBLE.

Byline: Brian Dohn Daily News Staff Writer

Todd Hundley maintains his elbow is fine, but even he said it took Friday's start behind the plate to ease his mind.

For the first time this spring, Hundley caught a game. And though his stint lasted less than two innings before rain forced a lengthy delay, his surgically repaired right elbow was tested.

The biggest moment came in the top of the second when B.J. Surhoff stole second on a 3-2, one-out pitch. The Orioles' Esteban Beltre struck out, and stepped across the plate when Hundley was throwing. It forced Hundley to whip his arm sideways.

``After I threw it, it was, `How much pain was going to come?' '' Hundley said. ``And no pain came. You let it fly and hope you don't fall on your knees. Velocity-wise, I thought it was a good throw, and it didn't hurt. That's the main thing.''

Hundley, who was scheduled to play three innings, was elated to play.

``It's what I love to do and I haven't been able to do it for a long time,'' said Hundley, who singled in his only at-bat. ``I'm ecstatic. It's a good day in my life.''

Hundley won't make the trip to Jupiter, Fla., today to face the St. Louis Cardinals, but manager Davey Johnson said he plans to catch Hundley again Sunday in a game televised in Los Angeles.

``He came in (before the game) and was all smiles,'' Johnson said. ``I'm sure he's going to be a little bit sore. I'm not thinking his arm is going to be sore, the rest of his body will be sore.''

Johnson said he wants Hundley to make two or three more starts before the Dodgers break camp after Wednesday's game. Hundley said it will take a few more outings before he feels comfortable, but wouldn't speculate on how often he would be able to catch once the season began.

Johnson was equally hesitant to say how often Hundley could catch once the season begins.

``I'll see how aggressive I can be with him, and how he feels,'' Johnson said. ``I don't have any concerns about him throwing. It's the swinging, and how aggressive he is.''

Reliever impresses: Johnson said he saw enough of lefty reliever Jeff Williams to take another look at him early next week. Williams allowed two runs on one hit in three innings. He also struck out five.

``He wanted to go a fourth inning,'' Johnson said. ``I shut him off so I could get one more peek at him.''

The Dodgers are looking for a lefty in the bullpen and dipped into minor league camp to give the 26-year-old Williams a shot.

Laker traded: The Dodgers traded minor-league catcher Tim Laker, a Simi Valley High product, to the Pittsburgh Pirates for a player to be announced.

Ironically, Laker played with the Pirates for part of last season. He also saw time with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, hitting .345 with a homer and two RBI in 17 games last season.

Laker was in major-league camp with the Dodgers until March 16, when he was reassigned to minor-league camp. He batted .150 with one RBI in 10 games this spring.

DODGERS UPDATE

Friday's recap: Between the raindrops, the Dodgers beat the Baltimore Orioles 7-2 Friday at Holman Stadium in a game shortened to seven innings. Dodgers second baseman Eric Young led off the bottom of the first with a homer and Trenidad Hubbard had a hit and two RBI. Kevin Brown struck out five in two innings.

Today's game: The Dodgers have three Grapefruit League road games left, and each one is in Jupiter, Fla. They visit the St. Louis Cardinals at 10:05 a.m. Right-hander Chan Ho Park will start for the Dodgers. The Cardinals counter with right-handed pitching prospect Jose Jimenez.

TV/Radio: No TV; XTRA-AM (1150).

- Brian Dohn

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