DODGERS NOTEBOOK: L.A., HERSHISER SET TO MEET TODAY.

Byline: Tony Jackson Staff Writer

Texas pitching coach Orel Hershiser will be formally interviewed today for the Dodgers' managerial opening. Hershiser, who won the Cy Young and World Series Most Valuable Player awards for the Dodgers in 1988, will be the last of six candidates to be interviewed.

It is unclear how much longer the process will take. General manager Paul DePodesta originally said he hoped to have a manager in place by the end of October, but acknowledged last week the process could stretch into November, especially if the World Series isn't over before the weekend.

Major League Baseball embargoes major announcements during the World Series because it doesn't want its marquee event upstaged by news from clubs not participating.

The Dodgers begin their three-day organizational meetings today, but those are mostly for the scouting staff. DePodesta and his lieutenants, Kim Ng and Roy Smith, will have plenty of time to dedicate to Hershiser.

--Loney sizzles: Dodgers first-base prospect James Loney has been promoted from the ``taxi squad'' to the regular roster for Phoenix of the Arizona Fall League, filling an opening created when Atlanta outfield prospect Josh Burris was shut down with a shoulder injury.

Loney entered play Monday hitting .471 (8 for 17), with two homers and five RBI in five games. The promotion means he can play regularly instead of only Wednesdays and Saturdays, the only days taxi squaders are allowed to play.

Loney is coming off his best minor-league season at Double-A Jacksonville, where he hit .284 with professional career highs of 11 home runs and 65 RBI.

The taxi squad is a way for teams to send a seventh player to the AFL.

Tony Jackson,[phone]

tony.jackson(at)dailynews.com