DODGERS NOTEBOOK: JORDAN EXPECTS TO HAVE SURGERY.

Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer

Dodgers left-fielder Brian Jordan said the sore left knee that kept him out of Thursday's game will likely limit him throughout the season and cause him to undergo surgery once the season ends.

Jordan said he plans to play through the discomfort but might need days off from time to time. He is suffering from patella tendinitis, an injury he aggravated running out a grounder during an April 14 game at San Diego. It has already caused Jordan to miss two starts.

``I'm going to end up having surgery after the season,'' said Jordan, who returned to his normal fifth spot in the lineup for Friday's series opener against the Cubs. ``I know it. I know what it is. They told me already I'm going to end up having surgery.

``Playing three years in the NFL and playing 10 seasons of baseball, I play the game diving all over the place, so I'm just fortunate that it's been this long. I've never had knee problems. I was expecting it.''

Jordan originally had discomfort in the knee in spring training. He said the team medical staff likened it to the injury former St. Louis slugger Mark McGwire, Cincinnati's Ken Griffey Jr. and former Dodgers reliever Matt Herges each experienced.

Herges pitched through last season with a sore knee, but his activity and effectiveness were limited. Herges couldn't run or ride a bike, which cut down his conditioning. He admitted in spring training he wore down because of it. Herges, now with Montreal, had surgery in October to remove a bone spur and clear scar tissue.

``It's discomfort. It's sore,'' Jordan said of his ailing knee. ``I don't even want to think of a chance of landing on it wrong, so it's going to limit me from stealing, going first to third, first to home. It's not going to limit me with my speed.''

Jordan entered the series with the Chicago Cubs batting .269 with three homers and 13 RBI but also frustrated that he is not in a groove at the plate. Dodgers manager Jim Tracy is cognizant of Jordan's situation, which is why he plans on giving his No. 4 hitter a rest from time to time.

--Daal's dilemma: Dodgers left-hander Omar Daal pitched three perfect innings of relief in Thursday's 14-inning win against Cincinnati. Overall, Daal is 4-0 with a 1.09 ERA, but he is not ready to change his mind about his trade demand. Tracy, meanwhile, says he won't try to convince Daal otherwise.

``What he is doing is absolutely awesome,'' Tracy said. ``I respect it. I marvel at it. I understand what his feelings are, but we feel strongly that we have six starters on this club and he certainly has been invaluable. The job he's done is phenomenal. I am not going to stand here and suggest to anyone that I'm going to try and change his feelings. That's unfair.''

--Ishii awesome: Dodgers left-hander Kazuhisa Ishii can move to 6-0 if he wins today, but he's already the first major-league pitcher since division play began in 1969 to open a career with wins in his first five starts, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. Santo Alcala (1976), Marty Bystrom (1980), Fernando Valenzuela (1981), Ben McDonald (1990) and Carlos Perez (1995) each won their first five starts, but each made their major-league debuts as relievers.

DODGERS vs. CHICAGO

Time: 7:10 p.m., Dodger Stadium.

TV/Radio: Ch. 13; 1150-AM, 1330-AM (Spanish).

Matchup: Dodgers LH Kazuhisa Ishii (5-0, 3.03 ERA) looks to become the first Dodgers starter to begin a season 6-0 since Orel Hershiser in 1988. Ishii struck out 10 Colorado batters in his only other Dodger Stadium appearance. He beat Chicago on Sunday, allowing one run in seven innings. Cubs RH Jason Bere (1-3, 6.48) allowed four runs in 7 2/3 innings last week against the Dodgers but lost. He has a 10.95 ERA in his past three starts.

- Brian Dohn

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DODGERS vs. CHICAGO (see text)