DODGERS NOTEBOOK: LONEY WON'T BE DEMOTED.

Byline: TONY JACKSON Staff Writer

While the Dodgers prepared to get through one day with a 24-man roster, a concession to the fact first baseman Nomar Garciaparra is expected to return from the disabled list today, the man who temporarily replaced Garciaparra prepared for what lies ahead.

James Loney, the rookie who was leading the Pacific Coast League with a .372 average when he was recalled July 29, isn't going back to Triple-A Las Vegas anytime soon. Manager Grady Little is expected to be extremely cautious with Garciaparra, who is coming back from a sprained right knee, so Loney still will get time at first base.

Meanwhile, Loney spent a large part of batting practice on Tuesday taking flyballs in the outfield, where he occasionally played during his minor-league career and where Little plans to use him some during the final two months of the s eason.

``I like it out there,'' said Loney, a stellar defensive first baseman. ``It's fun. It gives you a different angle on the game. And the idea is that I'll be able to play another position, so that should help.''

The Dodgers' roster has become crowded with players good enough to be in the everyday lineup, some of whom will be relegated to reserve roles. Loney figures to be one of those players for the rest of the season, a dicey situation given that he is one of the organization's top prospects and is at a key stage of his development.

``Early in the year, we felt like we didn't want him sitting on the bench, so we sent him back to Triple-A (on April 22),'' Little said. ``He did very well, but now, he has nothing else to prove there. We feel like he will be a positive asset to have on this ballclub.''

Loney, 22, seemed unconcerned with the potential lack of at-bats facing him.

``It's about winning up here, so whatever it takes,'' he said.

With outfielder Ricky Ledee having been claimed off waivers by the New York Mets on Monday, Loney also will replace Ledee as the Dodgers' primary left-handed bat off the bench.

Also moving: With Jeff Kent returning to second base on Tuesday, Julio Lugo was out of the starting lineup for the first time in eight games since the Dodgers acquired him from Tampa Bay on July 31.

Kent's return from the DL two days ago essentially has left Lugo without a position, although Little said he plans to use Lugo in the outfield and at third base, where Lugo never has played in his major-league career.

Lugo, a superior defensive middle infielder, took ground balls at third base Tuesday under the watchful eye of Dodgers infield coach Mariano Duncan.