DODGERS NOTEBOOK: PEREZ WOULD BALK AT MOVE TO MINORS.

Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer

If the Dodgers elect to send pitcher Carlos Perez to Triple-A Albuquerque, which manager Davey Johnson hypothesized over the weekend, don't expect the left-hander to go quietly . . . if at all.

``If they want me to go there, I'll talk to my agent and see what we can do,'' Perez said after throwing a bullpen session prior to Monday's home game with Cincinnati.

Perez has said he would welcome a trade if it came to that. He's 2-10 with a 7.43 ERA and said he can stomach being sent to the bullpen to work out his problems, but he can't take being sent to the minors. The Dodgers need to create a roster spot for Robinson Checo, who will start in Perez's place Wednesday.

``Well, I'm not going to be happy about that,'' Perez said about a possible demotion. ``It doesn't matter if I go to the bullpen and work it out. That's different. I can still finish the season here. I'm not going to be happy if I go to Triple-A.''

General manager Kevin Malone acknowledged Perez could be demoted, but that was only one option (another being Jamie Arnold sent down). Malone said the decision was a few days away. Perez, who signed a three-year, $15.5 million contract during the offseason, points to 4-1/3 innings of one-run ball he pitched in his only relief appearance as how he could cure his ills and remain in Los Angeles.

``If they let me pitch in the pen, I know I can do better,'' Perez said. ``I've never been a reliever before, but I know I can get it back there.''

The E.Y. Chronicles: Second baseman Eric Young said he wants to go on the disabled list, but management is balking at the idea, saying if Young was healthy enough to play a doubleheader Thursday and start Friday in Arizona, how could he be ailing?

``If my body is going to heal completely, the 15-day disabled list will let it heal completely,'' said Young, who's missed games because of ankle, calf and hamstring injuries.

The Dodgers don't want to put Young on the disabled list because players on that list can't be traded. The nonwaiver trading deadline is Saturday.

Young, struggling on both offense and defense, lost his starting spot over the weekend in Arizona. He said that's because of injuries.

However, Malone and Johnson said that's not the direction the Dodgers want to go because they think Young can be healthy again in less time.

``Once you're on the disabled list, you're out for 15 days,'' Malone said. ``We'll see where it is after six or seven days and take it from there.''

This and that: The Reds placed pitcher Steve Avery (strained left shoulder) on the disabled list and activated lefty B.J. Ryan before the game. . . . Dodgers team physician Dr. Frank Jobe said reliever Antonio Osuna (elbow) is in search of a second opinion before deciding to undergo Tommy John surgery. . . . Dodgers Hall of Fame announcer Jaime Jarrin was honored before the game for the one-year anniversary of his induction into Cooperstown. He threw out the first pitch.

DODGERS vs. CINCINNATI

Time: 7:10 p.m., at Dodger Stadium.

TV/Radio: Fox Sports West 2; 1150-AM, KWKW-AM (1330 Spanish).

Matchup: Dodgers right-hander Chan Ho Park (6-8, 6.16 ERA) is hoping to salvage his season with a stellar last two months, and the building of it begins tonight against the Reds and right-hander Brett Tomko (3-5, 4.93). Park allowed three runs on six hits in 6-2/3 innings in his last start and is on pace to have his first losing season in the majors. He's allowed 24 homers, the third-most in the NL, and opponents are hitting .284 against him. Tomko has allowed four earned runs in his last 22 innings. His ERA in the first inning is 11.00, but it's 3.89 after that.

- Brian Dohn

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BOX: DODGERS vs. CINCINNATI (see text)