DODGERS NOTEBOOK: OROSCO NEARS CHOICE.

Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - After Monday's scheduled appearance, Jesse Orosco should know, at least in his mind, if he'll be the veteran left- hander the Dodgers need in their bullpen, or if it's time to call it a career.

Coddled through spring training, Orosco is slated to pitch the next two days. If he's sharp on the second day, he'll have proved to the organization his elbow is healthy and he can be effective pitching back-to-back days. If not, Orosco, the major-league record-holder with 1,096 games pitched might call it quits.

``If I can't do it, it's time to go home,'' said Orosco, 43, a veteran of 21 major-league seasons. ``If they don't feel I'm right for the job, I'll go home. But I feel fine. I feel healthy. If they ask me to throw 25 pitches (today) and throw 25 pitches the next day, that might be a problem.

``But that's not what I'm here to do. I've thrown 25 pitches one day and came back and played catch the next day without a problem. I feel fine. I don't think it's going to be a problem.''

The National League West is full of left-handed hitters, so Orosco must show he's capable of pitching on consecutive nights or three times in four games.

``That's two days we're looking forward to because of the fact we want to see not only how he does (today), but how he responds to getting back up the following day,'' Dodgers manager Jim Tracy said.

Orosco said he'd usually have no reservations about pitching back-to- back days, given the way his arm feels. But coming off the elbow surgery last summer, the first time he's been hurt in his career, he isn't sure how to gauge things.

Orosco is 0-3 with a 7.20 ERA in six games, but Tracy said Orosco has shown a consistent breaking ball and has been sharper than the numbers indicate. He is also aided by a lack of competent left-handers in camp. The club is considering carrying Rule V draft pick Jose Nunez, 23, but it's unlikely Nunez would take Orosco's roster spot.

--Brown's health: An MRI on Kevin Brown's right Achilles tendon showed a strain, but general manager Kevin Malone said he expected his staff ace to pitch opening day against Milwaukee.

Brown, limited by the injury all spring, aggravated it Friday against the New York Mets backing up a base. Team officials said Brown will be able to participate in drills, but will wear a ``walking boot'' for the next few days to restrict his motion.

Brown was slated to pitch the Grapefruit League finale Wednesday against the Mets but instead will throw a bullpen session. Brown said he experiences the pain when he's running but is pain free when he pitches.

``Knowing Brownie, he's pitching opening day unless it gets worse between now and then,'' Malone said.

--Park's problems: Deviating from the norm, Paul LoDuca caught right- hander Chan Ho Park and the results suggested why Chad Kreuter is Park's personal catcher. Park allowed nine runs on 11 hits in four innings against Baltimore, but he said it had nothing to do with his catcher.

``I don't care (who catches),'' Park said. ``It doesn't matter. It came from me. The pitches came from me. I pitch, and catchers catch.''

When Park threw to Kreuter last season, he went 17-7 with a 2.83 ERA. Otherwise, Park was 1-3 with a 8.05 ERA. Tracy said he plans to keep teaming Kreuter and Park this season.

--Odds and ends: The Dodgers have 39 players in major-league camp after sending down outfielders Chris Prieto and Brent Cookson, infielders Keith Johnson and Andy Stankiewicz and catcher Brian Johnson. ... Utility player Hiram Bocachica (bruised ankle) said he's hopeful of returning to action early next week. He's been out a week. ... Tracy said outfielder Jeff Barry and infielders Phil Hiatt and Jeff Branson would accompany the team to Los Angeles for two exhibition games, but each were told they wouldn't make the opening-day roster barring unforeseen circumstances.

DODGERS vs. ST. LOUIS

Time: 10:05 a.m., at Holman Stadium, Vero Beach, Fla.

TV/Radio: Channel 5; 1150-AM, 1330-AM (Spanish)

Matchup: The final time through the rotation in the Grapefruit League continues as RH Darren Dreifort starts for the Dodgers. He's 3-0 with a 3.60 ERA in five games.

Saturday's result: RH Chan Ho Park gave up six runs in the first inning and the Dodgers lost 9-5 to Baltimore. RH Mike Fetters pitched a scoreless inning.

- Brian Dohn

CAPTION(S):

photo, box

Photo: Dodgers pitcher Jesse Orosco will learn what his future holds when he is tested on back-to-back days today and Monday.

Ron Frehm/Associated Press

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