DODGERS NOTEBOOK: MCGRIFF SET TO REHAB IN FLORIDA.

Byline: Ross Siler Staff Writer

After another successful base-running session Saturday, Fred McGriff is expected to start a minor-league rehabilitation assignment Monday and likely will return from the disabled list for Thursday afternoon's series finale against the Florida Marlins.

Barring any setbacks today, McGriff will spend Monday and Tuesday playing with Single-A Vero Beach (Fla.) and Wednesday with the rookie Gulf Coast League Dodgers before rejoining the team in Miami, manager Jim Tracy said.

But Tracy would not specify what role McGriff will have when he returns, with the Dodgers having yet to resolve their corner infield situation with the recently acquired Robin Ventura starting last week at first and hot-hitting Adrian Beltre at third.

``We'll cross those bridges when we come to it,'' Tracy said. ``I don't want to speculate, I don't want to do any of it. We'll deal with situations like that when it comes.''

McGriff, however, indicated he would not be interested in a reserve role upon his return.

``I'm going to try to get back on the field,'' said McGriff, who has not played since July 4 with a strained right knee ligament. McGriff added he believes he still can hit the 12 home runs he needs to reach the 500-home run milestone this season.

Meanwhile, the Dodgers also are hoping pitcher Kazuhisa Ishii, on the disabled list with a sprained left knee ligament, will make his return for Thursday's game as well. Ishii will throw a bullpen session before today's game.

--The Gagne rule: One day after setting a major-league record with his 39th consecutive save to start the season, Eric Gagne said he was available to pitch if needed on a fifth consecutive day. ``It's August,'' Gagne said. And Tracy laid out his rules for using the star closer.

Tracy said Gagne could be used on a fifth consecutive day, but only for one inning and only if the Dodgers were in a save situation. Tracy said he would not use Gagne if the Dodgers were tied entering the ninth inning and looking for a late win.

Though Gagne has pitched in five consecutive games before, the team always has had a day off somewhere in between. Tracy said the only exception to the rule would be made in late September if the Dodgers were in the playoff race.

--Homecoming king: Cubs pitcher Mark Prior had a pair of unenviable starts to make this week: one in front of 100 friends and family members in his hometown of San Diego and one in Los Angeles, where Prior played in college at USC.

Prior returned from the disabled list Tuesday against the Padres and recorded his ninth win of the season. Today he will make his first-ever start against the Dodgers, opposing fellow All-Star Kevin Brown (11-5).

``He's an All-Star, and he's having a great year,'' Prior said of Brown, whom he never has met. ``Hopefully it's going to be the pitchers' duel it could be.''

--Odds and ends: Todd Hundley caught a bullpen session and hit in a batting cage before the game, continuing his progress in returning from a back injury. ... Tracy gave Cesar Izturis the day off, starting Jolbert Cabrera at second base. ... The Dodgers will hold their annual Jersey Day auction before today's game.

Ross Siler, [phone]

ross.siler(at)dailynews.com