DODGERS NOTEBOOK: PEREZ WORKS OUT KINKS IN SHOULDER.

Byline: Rich Hammond Staff Writer

Odalis Perez remains at least a week away from returning to the rotation, but Perez's mood lightened considerably Monday when he felt no pain in his pitching shoulder after a 46-pitch bullpen session.

Perez, who last pitched May 14, was eligible to come off the disabled list Monday, but he will require at least two more bullpen sessions, Wednesday and Friday, before the Dodgers can determine if he's healthy enough to start. Wilson Alvarez took Perez's spot in the rotation Monday for a second time.

``I would say I'll be ready to go after maybe two or three more bullpens,'' Perez said. ``It all depends on how I feel the next time out.''

The Dodgers initially thought Perez might not miss a turn, but Perez reported continued pain in the shoulder after bullpen sessions in the following days. After Monday's session, in which he threw only fastballs, Perez experienced minor tightness but no pain, which spurred increased optimism.

With the fifth starter's spot also open, the Dodgers will turn Thursday, for a second time, to rookie Derek Thompson. Saturday would be Alvarez's turn, but manager Jim Tracy is reluctant to start Alvarez on a regular basis because of injury concerns, so a change could be made there, too.

If all goes well, Perez could possibly return for the June 7 game against Detroit. Perez will increase his pitch count Wednesday and include changeup and curveballs. He might throw light batting practice Friday.

--Roster move: After the game, the Dodgers sent catcher Dioner Navarro to Triple-A, recalled catcher Mike Rose and designated Buddy Carlyle for assignment to clear room on the 40-man roster.

The Dodgers had recalled Navarro on Friday to replace injured catcher Paul Bako and apparently intended to get him into a game last weekend before sending him back to Triple-A, but Navarro never played. Rose was hitting .294 with 24 RBI in 42 games for Las Vegas.

--Injury report: As expected, Milton Bradley missed Monday's game with a sprained tendon in his right ring finger. Bradley, who hurt the finger in the ninth inning Sunday, told a team spokesperson that the finger felt ``exactly the same'' Monday. Bradley is scheduled for an MRI today.

Tests revealed that backup catcher Paul Bako's sprained knee includes a sprained left ACL.