DODGERS NOTEBOOK: ILL GRUDZIELANEK IS HEADED FOR DL HUNDLEY ALSO OUT FOR A FEW MORE DAYS.

Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer

This is not the way the Dodgers wanted to begin the second half. Not with second baseman Mark Grudzielanek heading for the disabled list and not with catcher Todd Hundley unable to throw a ball until the end of the weekend.

But such is life for the Dodgers, who received bad news on both players before Thursday's interleague game with the Angels at Dodger Stadium.

Grudzielanek was diagnosed with a viral infection. Team doctors have told Grudzielanek to keep away from the ballpark, mainly because they don't know what's causing it. He's expected to be put on the 15-day disabled list today, retroactive to last Friday, and utility player Mike Metcalfe is expected to be recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque.

Grudzielanek underwent tests at Centinela Hospital Medical Center. Team officials said doctors are hopeful that test results available today will give the club a better indication of what's wrong.

``We've all had the virus, the flu, but Grud's got real bad headaches and some joint discomfort,'' Dodgers manager Davey Johnson said. ``The recommendation from the doctor is that we do (put him on the DL).''

Not only does Grudzielanek's loss mean a shift in the infield, which could lead to shortstop Alex Cora playing second base again but also throws another monkey wrench into the lineup.

Grudzielanek has batted solely in the second spot in the order, and is hitting .303 with five homers and 31 RBI. He's also turned into a solid second baseman, making 10 errors but showing constant improvement in his move from shortstop.

X-rays showed Hundley has a nondisplaced fracture on the tip of his right thumb, but he's hopeful of returning for the upcoming Pittsburgh series. The fracture is under the thumbnail and he's available to play when the pain allows him to. Hundley said he could pinch-hit left-handed.

``I'm shooting for Sunday or Monday,'' Hundley said. ``Basically, it's getting all the swelling down so I can throw a ball.''

--Trade talk: The Dodgers are trying to acquire a starting pitcher before the trading deadline, but they keep hearing the same thing when it comes to a deal. Other teams want rookie right-hander Eric Gagne, but the Dodgers front office remains unwilling to include him in a deal.

They've talked with Baltimore about right-hander Scott Erickson, sources said. The Dodgers also talked to Philadelphia about Andy Ashby before he was traded to Atlanta. The Dodgers also talked to the Phillies about Curt Schilling, but Gagne would have to be included in the deal.

However, the Dodgers are prepared to do everything to keep Gagne, and instead would like to package right-hander Darren Dreifort, catching prospect Angel Pena, whom the organization has soured on, and a minor-league pitcher for any deal they make, sources said.

--Odds and ends: Right-hander Gregg Olson pitched a perfect inning in a rehab appearance for Triple-A Albuquerque against Iowa, his sixth minor-league appearance. But the Dodgers are waiting for Chad Kreuter's suspension to end after Saturday's game, and for Hundley and Grudzielanek to get healthy before adding Olson to the mix. . . . With lefty Carlos Perez slated to begin his five-game suspension Sunday, right-hander Mike Judd is expected to be recalled from Albuquerque.