DODGERS NOTEBOOK: NOMO WILL MISS AT LEAST ONE START.

Byline: Tony Jackson Staff Writer

ATLANTA - Veteran Jose Lima will start for the Dodgers in place of injured right-hander Hideo Nomo on Saturday. If the split nail on Nomo's right index finger hasn't improved by the middle of this week, Nomo likely will be placed on the 15-day disabled list to clear a roster spot, probably for a reliever.

With the bullpen reasonably well-rested, manager Jim Tracy said there is no need to make such a move yet.

``We'll wait a couple of days and see how much improvement (Nomo) has,'' Tracy said.

``If it gets to that point, we'll (put him on the disabled list). Right now, from a bullpen standpoint, especially with Odalis Perez delivering (seven innings Friday) night, we're really not in a situation for the next couple of days where we need to rush to judgment and bring in another reliever right now. We have plenty of those.''

Although Nomo's next scheduled start would have been Tuesday night at Milwaukee, the Dodgers are off Monday. That means Kazuhisa Ishii, Perez, Jeff Weaver and Wilson Alvarez all can simply be moved up one day, pushing Nomo to the back end. But with the fingernail showing little improvement so far, it is clear Nomo won't be ready by Saturday.

Tracy and pitching coach Jim Colborn will want Nomo to throw a unencumbered side session before they even considering starting him again.

``Nomo's finger is still very tender,'' Tracy said. ``It was very difficult for him to even attempt to play catch (Friday), which didn't surprise me. He obviously can't pitch Tuesday, and he can't pitch Saturday, either.''

--Roberts delayed: Left fielder Dave Roberts, who has been on the 15-day disabled list since May 5 with a strained right hamstring, won't be activated for at least a couple more days. After running the bases for the first time Friday, Roberts reported tightness Saturday.

Because he has been sidelined so long, Roberts now might need a one- game, minor-league rehabilitation assignment, something Tracy was hoping to avoid.

``If there is a rehab, it won't be for a lengthy time,'' Tracy said. ``We're not to the point where he has been down so long that he will need a number of games, but we just want to see where he's at. If he goes, it will be for two reasons: to test his leg and for the opportunity to see some live pitching.''

--Green out: One day after dropping first baseman Shawn Green from fourth to fifth in the lineup, Tracy dropped him completely out of it, something the manager said Friday he wasn't ready to do yet. That changed after Green went 0 for 4 in Friday night's 2-0 loss to the Braves, including an inning-ending double play with the bases loaded in the sixth.

Green finished that game in a 5-for-43 slide.

``I just think it's necessary for him to take a day and get away from it,'' Tracy said. ``Hopefully, this will give him an opportunity to sit back and clear his mind from whatever it is that is going on and give him a chance to sort some things out.''

Tracy was noncommittal on whether Green would return for today's series finale. With no game Monday, Tracy might take advantage of the chance to give Green three consecutive days off. Then again, Tracy is big on matchups, and Green is 13 for 21 with three homers and 12 RBI in his career against Mike Hampton, the Braves' scheduled starter.

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- Tony Jackson