DODGERS NOTEBOOK: PEREZ MOVES CLOSER HIS LATEST OUTING MAY BE BEST YET.

Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer

JUPITER, Fla. - Say one thing about having Carlos Perez around: He'll keep things interesting.

Perez's fascinating spring continued in the wee hours of Wednesday morning when he went to the Indian River Memorial Hospital because of allergy problems. After spending nearly six hours in the emergency room, Perez, with medication in system and feeling better, allowed two runs in five effective innings against Montreal.

And his best outing of the spring should also be enough to secure the final spot in the Dodgers' rotation, though manager Davey Johnson stopped short of naming Perez.

``I'm starting to feel more comfortable,'' said Perez, whose ERA dropped from 10.00 to 7.71. ``This time it's five innings, another five strikeouts. I'm starting to feel more aggressive.''

Dodgers officials said the left-handed Perez was diagnosed with allergic rhinitis. He said he went to the hospital around midnight Tuesday and didn't return home until 6 a.m. He was at Dodgertown to catch the bus to Roger Dean Stadium by 8:30 a.m. He had a runny nose, watery and sore eyes, and was given medication to ease the discomfort. And because of the sun, Perez had to pitch wearing sunglasses.

``I didn't have any rest,'' Perez said. ``I had to wait forever in the hospital. Too many old people and there was only one doctor there.''

Perez, who allowed five hits, including a long solo home run to Vladimir Guerrero, struck out five and didn't walk a batter. He threw 75 pitches, and given how the search for the final spot has unfolded, it appears the outing is enough to get a few starts in the regular season.

``He threw a lot of pitches, so let's see how he comes out the next time,'' Johnson said. ``His arm position is better. The last two outings have been so much better than what I saw early, so again, I look for improvement. If I'm going in the right direction, I feel more positive, and that was definitely a positive outing. I'm pleased with his outing.''

It already has been a full spring off the field for Perez, who was arrested and charged with suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol earlier this month.

But even before Perez's outing, Johnson already put in motion a plan that should land Perez in a rotation that includes Kevin Brown, Chan Ho Park, Darren Dreifort and Orel Hershiser.

Before Perez's outing, Johnson said right-hander Eric Gagne will pitch in a Triple-A game Saturday against the Mets' minor-leaguers instead of pitching against Baltimore. Hershiser will start against the Orioles.

--Center of attention: As with the final starting spot, Johnson's not ready to say who's going to be the opening-day center fielder. But Dodgers officials are pleased with Devon White's effort in center field and he remains the leading candidate to start.

Though White's struggled offensively in the leadoff position -- he's batting .226 and has three walks in 34 plate appearances. . . . The Dodgers are pleased with his defense. Todd Hollandsworth, who is challenging White, is hitting .239 and has one walk in 46 plate appearances.

``Defensively, I've been playing great,'' Hollandsworth said. ``I've been a little inconsistent with the bat . . . I'm really, really comfortable. I'm comfortable in center, comfortable in left, comfortable in right. I think they know what I'm capable of. I'm not disheartened at all. I feel very good.''

--Odds and ends: Scott Boras, the agent for Adrian Beltre, and Dodgers managing partner and CEO Bob Daly are scheduled to meet this morning at Dodgertown in hopes of reaching agreement on a three-year contract. The two hope this is the day the deal gets done since Daly is returning to Los Angeles after today's game. . . . Second baseman Mark Grudzielanek was scratched after injuring the middle finger of his right hand. He was struck by a batted ball but said it wasn't serious and he planned to return Friday. . . . Right-hander Alan Mills pitched in a Triple-A game to stretch his arm out and pitched four innings. He allowed one unearned run. . . . When Shawn Green threw out Todd Zeile at the plate Tuesday night, Johnson had one thought. ``I said, `Hmmm. He could be our situational left-hander,'' said Johnson.

DODGERS vs. ATLANTA

When/Where: 10:05 a.m., Holman Stadium, Vero Beach, Fla.

TV/Radio: Fox Sports Net 2; XTRA 1150 AM.

Today's game: After making a pair of two-hour road trips to pitch, righty Kevin Brown faces the Braves at home. Brown has been dominant, going 1-0 with a 1.69 ERA. He's struck out 16 and allowed 10 hits in 16 innings. Righty Kevin Millwood starts for Atlanta.

Wednesday's result: Lefty Carlos Perez took a huge step in securing the final starting spot in the Dodgers' rotation in a 2-0 loss to Montreal. Perez allowed two runs in five innings. Orel Hershiser pitched two shutout innings and Tony Mota had two hits.

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Dodgers left-hander Carlos Perez came closer to a place in the starting rotation with another strong performance on Wednesday.

J. Pat Carter/Associated Press