DODGERS NOTEBOOK: JOHNSON IS LOOKING AT ARMS.

Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer

The Dodgers need a left-handed power hitter, more flexibility on the bench and starting pitching depth in the organization. But there's little the Dodgers can do to solve those problems now. Instead they'll look to the next two months.

With that in mind, the Dodgers placed Robinson Checo on the disabled list Friday and promoted Matt Herges. A seemingly meaningless swap of pitchers that has relevance for the future.

``I want to look at as many arms as I can at the major-league level,'' Dodgers manager Davey Johnson said. ``You can always use a good, young arm. I think everybody can use good, young pitching.''

It's not about Herges, 29, joining the starting rotation or Checo staying in the minors. It's about Johnson understanding the options he might have heading into next season and what areas the Dodgers need to attack in the offseason via trades or the free-agent market.

The non-waiver trade deadline is 9 p.m. today. But the Dodgers entered their three-game series with Arizona tied for last place and 11-1/2 games behind the Diamondbacks. They haven't won more than five straight all season and haven't been at .500 since June 10.

``I wouldn't say (we're) out of it,'' Johnson said. ``But at the same time, we haven't been able to mount any kind of attack, any kind of winning streak, so we might as well look at other things and not remain status quo.''

Before the season ends, the Dodgers will most likely look at pitchers Mike Judd, Eric Gagne and Ricky Stone. Maybe to add depth to the bullpen, maybe to show the front office who's available for spot starts or in-season promotions.

Herges for Checo: Checo allowed one run in five innings Wednesday but was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a groin pull and will be eligible to be activated Aug. 13. Herges was called up from Triple-A Albuquerque and was available in the bullpen.

Johnson said he's unsure how he'll use Herges, who was 8-3 with a 4.59 ERA in 20 starts with Albuquerque. The Dodgers don't need a fifth starter until next Saturday, which means Herges could work out of the bullpen for a few days before stepping into Checo's spot.

Herges was a non-roster invitee to big-league camp in spring training. He's been in the Dodgers' organization since 1992, but this is his first time with the Dodgers. He spent the past three seasons bouncing between Albuquerque and Double-A San Antonio.

``Right now, I'm feeling kind of numb,'' Herges said. ``I've pitched well this season, but my last two starts weren't very good so I didn't think it would be me.''

FYI: Arizona announced right-hander Andy Benes, who is 6-9 with a 5.30 ERA, will start Sunday's series finale against Chan Ho Park. . . . Right-handed reliever Antonio Osuna will undergo Tommy John surgery in the next few weeks. The recovery time is approximately one year. . . . Gary Sheffield has four more years left on his contract. The length was incorrectly stated in Friday's paper.

DODGERS vs. ARIZONA

Time: 1:05 p.m., at Dodger Stadium.

TV/Radio: Channel 11; XTRA-AM (1150), KWKW-AM (1330 Spanish).

Matchup: The last time right-hander Ismael Valdes (8-8, 3.33 ERA) started for the Dodgers he thought it might be his last appearance, having been linked to trade rumors for the past month. But it appears Valdes will survive this season and a few more because the Dodgers don't seem willing to part with young starting pitching. Valdes has won three of his past five starts. Arizona lefty Randy Johnson (10-8, 2.65) is facing the Dodgers for the fourth time this season, having gone 0-2. He's 1-6 in his past eight starts and will pitch on an extra day of rest after throwing 143 pitches in last week's 2-1 loss to L.A. Johnson leads the NL in ERA, strikeouts (240), innings pitched (176-2/3) and complete games (eight).

- Brian Dohn

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BOX: DODGERS vs. ARIZONA (see text)