DODGERS NOTEBOOK: MALONE BEGINS TO TEST WATERS.

Byline: Matt McHale Daily News Staff Writer

Kevin Malone's first day as Dodgers general manager included a brief address to his new players and meetings with manager Glenn Hoffman and former interim GM Tom Lasorda.

The realization that the club is already committed to $53 million for 12 players next year, Malone said Monday, ``always brings me back to Earth.'' He added that he also recognizes the delicate nature of keeping Lasorda involved while charting his own course.

Before Monday's game with Colorado, Malone addressed the future of the farm system and scouting departments, topics he touched on repeatedly during Friday's introductory news conference.

It probably was not a good sign for farm director Charlie Blaney that he did not meet Malone until the news conference. Blaney is known as an excellent administrator, but Malone said that in a perfect world the farm director should also be a keen evaluator of talent.

``I don't think anyone should be worried, but it is a time for self-evaluation,'' Malone said. ``They have to ask themselves, are they the best scout, the best personnel person they can be? It's a good time to evaluate who you are, where you're at, where you want to go.''

Lasorda, who was promoted to senior vice president when Malone was hired, has said he is available to help Malone during the transition. Lasorda is probably the best talent-evaluator in the organization, but most concede he needs to give Malone some room.

``I think Tommy knows the situation. But he also has a lot of value. His knowledge of the situation is invaluable,'' Malone said.

Medicine man: Team orthopedist Frank Jobe was busy Monday. He examined the tender right shoulder of pitcher Darren Dreifort, who is not expected to pitch again this season.

``He's pitched more innings (180) than he ever has by a wide margin,'' Jobe said. ``It looks like rest is the best thing for him right now.''

Jobe also examined the sprained left ankle of right fielder Gary Sheffield, who was lost for the season at the end of August.

Sheffield, who has been wearing a soft cast since the injury, will be examined today by orthopedist Lewis Yocum. Sheffield will have the cast removed and begin a rehabilitation program.

``They have to check to see if there were any fractures,'' Jobe said. ``At the time, there was so much swelling, so an evaluation could not be done. We're confident there isn't (a fracture), but we want to be sure.''

Finally, reliever Mark Guthrie, who has been sidelined the past two weeks with a sprained ligament in his left elbow, will pitch off a mound today for the first time since the injury, but the club is uncertain when he'll be back. Guthrie is a free agent and might want to return to action to prove he is sound to other clubs.

Quick hits: Bobby Bonilla went 3 for 3 to raise his average against the Rockies to .371 (63 for 170). He also has a .483 on-base percentage in the last seven games, reaching base 14 times in 29 plate appearances. He is 8 for 23 with a homer and six RBI during that span, including 3 for 4 with runners in scoring position. . . . Carlos Perez's third consecutive complete game was his sixth of the year, ranking fifth in the NL. ``I'm not the type of pitcher to pitch every fifth day for only 4-5 innings,'' he said. ``I want to pitch my game, and that is a complete game.''

COLORADO vs. DODGERS

Time: 7:05 p.m. at Dodger Stadium.

TV/Radio: Fox Sports West 2, 1150-AM, KWKW 1330-AM (Spanish).

Matchup: In the second of three games with the Rockies, Chan Ho Park (13-8, 3.87) faces right-hander Darryl Kile (11-16, 5.34). Park has won his last two starts, throwing 136 pitches in each game. He beat the NL West-champion Padres 4-3 on Thursday, the eighth victory in his last 10 decisions. Kile, the top pitcher in last winter's free-agent market, has been pitching well lately after a disappointing season. He had his best outing of the year last Thursday with two-hit, complete-game victory over Florida.

- Matt McHale

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BOX: COLORADO vs. DODGERS (see text)