DODGERS NOTEBOOK: JORDAN GETS REST; BULLPEN GETS HELP.

Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer

The Dodgers gave Brian Jordan a much-needed rest Tuesday and a taxed bullpen some help.

Jordan was vocal about the grueling stretch that included plenty of travel and extra-inning games after Monday's 6-4, 12-inning loss to Arizona. He wasn't in the starting lineup Tuesday.

Dodger pitchers have had to pitch 25 innings over the past two games and have a day game today. To avoid stretching an already-thin bullpen, the team optioned utility player Jason Romano and recalled left-handed reliever Troy Brohawn.

Jordan and Shawn Green talked with reporters about how the schedule was taking a toll.

``I think they have every right to make the comments they made,'' Dodgers manager Jim Tracy said. ``I'm not surprised, but when you hear it from the players it was coming from ... I take a lot of credence into what some of those guys are saying.''

Jordan also needed the rest to help heal his left hand, which was hit by a pitch in San Diego. A blood blister formed but, as Jordan showed, the blood is now gone.

``Eight days in a row with all that travel, you need a break,'' Jordan said.

There were several pitchers Tracy didn't want to use Tuesday, so the Dodgers moved to a 12-man pitching staff. At least for now.

``I think if you nip a problem before it becomes a problem, it doesn't become an issue,'' Dodgers general manager Dan Evans said. ``We were in a situation where we played 25 innings in the last two days. (Pitching) is the strength of our ballclub.

--Lineup changes: Most of the names were the same, but their spots in the batting order were not.

Catcher Paul Lo Duca was moved from second to fifth. Jordan has been batting cleanup but Fred McGriff did Tuesday and struck out in his first at-bat. Adrian Beltre didn't move up in the batting order, remaining in seventh, even though Daryle Ward, who batted sixth, was making his first start in left field.

Beltre hit his first home run of the season Monday and is batting .273, but he's struggling defensively with a team-high three errors. Tracy didn't move Beltre up in the order, even though Jordan rested.

``Eight days into the season, I won't get into that discussion,'' Tracy said of Beltre. ``That's not fair. Let's let him get his feet on the ground first.''

--Upbeat Romano: Romano, a 23-year-old utility player, will head for Triple-A Las Vegas, where he'll get consistent at-bats. Romano said he understood but hopes to rejoin the Dodgers soon.

``They called me in and said it was a tough situation roster-wise,'' Romano said. ``They needed 12 pitchers because of the stress on the bullpen. I'm kind of the odd man out because I have options. I knew I had options and that it would be a roller coaster year.

``When I came to the ballpark (Tuesday) I didn't think I was going to get sent down, but I'm not surprised something like that can happen.''

--Dreifort's debut: Darren Dreifort isn't making his debut at Dodger Stadium today, but it might seem like it. He made his last start at Dodger Stadium on June 24, 2001 - nearly two years ago. Dreifort was out almost two years with elbow and knee surgeries.

``I'm excited just to be pitching here again,'' Dreifort said. ``I'm excited to be pitching, period.''

--News and notes: The Dodgers placed pitcher Derek Thompson (elbow) on the 60-day disabled list. ... Reliever Paul Shuey, a former Cleveland Indian, watched part of the Indians' home opener with game-time temperatures hovering around 30 degrees. It was 74 at game time in L.A. on Tuesday. He then inquired about the Dodgers' trip to Cleveland and was happy to hear it wasn't until June.

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- Jill Painter