DODGERS NOTEBOOK: PEREZ, COLLETTI, LITTLE MEET.

Byline: TONY JACKSON  Staff Writer

LOUIS -- Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti and manager Grady Little met privately with left-hander Odalis Perez on Friday after Perez complained publicly following Thursday night's loss to St. Louis about the way he was being used.

Perez was banished to the bullpen two months ago and has been called upon sporadically ever since. Little brought him in to begin the bottom of the 14th inning against the Cardinals, and the second batter Perez faced, Albert Pujols, took him deep to end the game.

Afterward, Perez said, among other things, that he was tired of being treated ``like trash.'' Colletti and Little made it clear to Perez that although they understand his desire to start, he will remain in the bullpen for now.

``I have to do my job, which is guide us toward winning as many games as we can, and he has to do his part, which is to prepare himself the best he can for what we need him to do,'' Little said. ``He feels his best way to contribute to this club is to start, and he may get that opportunity again in the future. But it won't be today.''

Perez stopped briefly for a pack of reporters on his way off the field after batting practice, then said, ``I have to do something first. I'll be right back.'' He then disappeared into the clubhouse and didn't return before the clubhouse was closed to media.

Colletti characterized the meeting as positive.

``His gist was he wants to be able to contribute to the club,'' Colletti said. ``Hopefully, it will turn out to be not only a positive exchange, but also will yield positive results.''

Kemp down: Outfielder Matt Kemp was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas to make room for outfielder Ricky Ledee, who was activated from the 60-day disabled list.

Kemp, arguably the organization's top outfield prospect, was promoted from Double-A Jacksonville on May 28 and impressed immediately. But after hitting a gargantuan pinch-hit home run at San Diego on June 14, he went 17 for 77 with 29 strikeouts.

Meanwhile, as fellow rookie Andre Ethier was playing well enough to garner the National League's Player of the Week award for last week, Kemp's playing time dwindled, which isn't a good thing for a still-developing prospect.

``I'm going to go out and play every day,'' Kemp said. ``It's kind of hard to just play here and play there. (But) I proved to everyone that I could handle the major- league level a little bit. I know what is expected up here and what I have to do to get back.''

Repko begins: Outfielder Jason Repko (left ankle) went hitless in three at-bats and drew a walk for Las Vegas on Thursday night in the first game of his rehabilitation assignment.

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DODGERS at ST. LOUIS

- Tony Jackson