DODGERS NOTEBOOK: JOHNSON BACK, HAS RESTRAINTS.

Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer

Davey Johnson returned to the Dodgers bench in good spirits, though admittedly a bit fatigued and also with a few don'ts so he doesn't have a return of the irregular heartbeat that hospitalized him for four days.

Johnson, who went to the hospital Sunday and was released from Centinela Hospital Medical Center on Wednesday evening, took over his managerial duties for Thursday's game against Colorado. Bench coach Jim Tracy went 3-1 as the acting manager.

``The way we were playing, I thought about staying away for another week,'' Johnson said. ``It's good to get back here. They took real good care of me at Centinela Hospital. A lot of nice people there. The only negative over there is they don't carry the Dodger games on TV. I could catch them on radio, but it's good to be back.''

But Johnson, 57, is back under a few different rules set forth by his doctors. Arguing calls is allowed, but tobacco, wine and caffeine are out.

Johnson had a similar problem four years ago when he managed in Baltimore, which he said helped him in this instance. Johnson passed out when he was with the Orioles but he experienced similar symptoms this time.

Johnson continues to take medication. He said the reason he was hospitalized for four days was to make sure his heart was back on its regular rhythm.

``It was little bit scary,'' Johnson said. ``I think it's something a lot of people have, but it's something you don't really mess with. You get up and you get real faint. A couple of times I almost fainted. That's happened during ballgames, too, but not at six in the morning.

``It took about 24 hours, and after a lot of medication I came back to normal and they kind of kept me in there. I feel a little bit tired, but I'm glad to be out.''

--Battling Beltre: Dodgers third baseman Adrian Beltre curbed his early- season error problems and raised his average since the All-Star break, but he isn't producing runs.

Beltre said he must improve his performance with runners in scoring position. Since returning from the disabled list June 17, he is 4 for 27 (.148) with five RBI with runners in scoring position. He has just eight RBI since coming back.

``One week before the All-Star break, I was struggling, but I'm starting to hit better,'' said Beltre, who's 10 for 25 since the break and is hitting .264. ``I'm still struggling a little bit with runners in scoring position, and that's bothering me right now. I know it's going to change. It's not because I'm not patient. I don't know exactly what it is.''

--Odds and ends: Right-hander Mike Fetters will serve his one-game suspension today for his part in the May 16 fight at Wrigley Field. . . . Long-lost outfielder Geronimo Berroa, on the disabled list since June 3 with a broken left foot, isn't close to returning. Berroa was re-examined by team doctors and X-rays revealed the break still exists.

CAPTION(S):

2 photos, box

Photo: (1) SNIDER

(2) SHEFFIELD

Box: CHASING DUKE