DODGERS NOTEBOOK: NOMO'S NEW CLUB: ANGELS?

Byline: Matt McHale Daily News Staff Writer

The list of teams speaking to the Dodgers about deposed right-hander Hideo Nomo has been narrowed to four, including the Angels.

Dodgers executive vice president Fred Claire would not name the clubs, but according to sources, they are the Angels, Texas Rangers, Seattle Mariners and Baltimore Orioles.

Tuesday, the Orioles rejected a trade that included closer Armando Benitez for Nomo, who was designated for assignment on Monday. The Dodgers have less than a week to trade him, then three more days to see if he clears waivers. If no deal is made by June 10, Nomo will become a free agent.

Seattle remains in the picture even though the Mariners rejected a deal Tuesday that would have brought left-hander Randy Johnson to the Dodgers.

The Angels just placed right-hander Jack McDowell on the 15-day disabled list.

Claire said he would not have a problem dealing with the Angels despite their close proximity to Los Angeles.

``The important thing is not who the other team is, but whether a trade can help the team,'' Claire said.

What happened to Luke: Matt Luke, the first baseman/outfielder who also was designated for assignment, could return to the Dodgers organization if he is not claimed on waivers by Monday.

Although a favorite of Claire, Luke was the odd man out when the Dodgers acquired veteran left-handed hitting Jim Eisenreich. The club elected to stay with struggling veteran Thomas Howard.

The Dodgers had 10 days to trade Luke or pass him through waivers. Because he never has been taken off a 40-man roster in his career, Luke is not eligible for free agency. If he clears waivers, he will be outrighted to Triple-A Albuquerque.

Quick hits: Left fielder Todd Hollandsworth was scratched Wednesday because of lingering soreness in his left shoulder. Hollandsworth has struggled at the plate since ending a hitting streak at nine games Saturday. Eisenreich replaced Hollandsworth and singled in the fourth inning. . . . Catcher Charles Johnson has agreed to wear a mini video camera on his mask during Saturday's nationally televised game in Seattle.

ST. LOUIS vs. DODGERS

Time: 4:35 p.m.

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

Matchup: In the series finale, Chan Ho Park (4-3, 5.03) faces right-hander Juan Acevado (1-1, 4.60). Park allowed just two runs in a season-high eight innings last Friday against Cincinnati, but the Dodgers lost 8-4 in 12. In his previous start, Park lasted just two innings against Arizona and lost 8-4. Acevado defeated the Dodgers on April 2 in a relief appearance at Busch Stadium. Park started that game for the Dodgers but did not figure in the decision.

--- Matt McHale

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BOX: ST. LOUIS vs. DODGERS (see text)