DODGERS NOTEBOOK: PLANS FOR DREIFORT UNKNOWN.

Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer

Right-hander Darren Dreifort threw 60 pitches in a bullpen session Tuesday, incorporated a changeup for the first time and remains on target for a late July or early August return.

Now, if the Dodgers can just figure out what to do with him. Reliever or starter?

Until right-hander Kevin Brown underwent back surgery last week, the rehabbing Dreifort was coming back as a reliever. Now, with their starting-pitching depth taking a hit, no options in the minors and insurance policy Omar Daal a fixture in the rotation, the Dodgers could send Dreifort out on a rehab assignment - perhaps by the end of the month - to build his arm strength as a starter.

``We're not there right now and we don't need to make that decision yet,'' Dodgers general manager Dan Evans said. ``When he gets closer, then we'll decide whether we're going to stretch him out as a reliever or a starter. His rehab is independent of anything else.''

Dreifort had the second Tommy John elbow-reconstruction surgery of his career July 9 and his time frame for returning always has been near the July 31 trading deadline. He is also in the second year of a five-year, $55 million contract, so the Dodgers are moving cautiously with him and won't state publicly that they expect him back this season.

``I am not going to build up my hopes or the hopes of this ballclub to be let down,'' Dodgers manager Jim Tracy said. ``I'm going to remain neutral.''

Before Dreifort returns, he has several critical hurdles to clear. He's been throwing his fastball and sinker and added the changeup but has yet to throw his slider. After that, he will pitch batting practice, simulated games and then go on a rehab assignment not to last more than 30 days.

But Dodgers physical therapist Pat Screnar said before Dreifort goes on a rehab assignment, a decision must be made on whether he will be a starter or reliever.

``If you're going to send somebody on a rehab assignment, you're going to have to know at some point what kind of pitcher you eventually want to come out of that rehab assignment,'' Screnar said. ``In the early going, the first (outing) or two, it's only going to be an inning or two, so it doesn't really make a difference. But you want to know how much work load and how much you want to extend him.''

Dodgers officials said Dreifort, a closer in college but a starter his past three seasons with the Dodgers, likely will rehab as a reliever.

``He's starting to look more like a guy who can pitch than a guy who is rehabbing off surgery,'' Dodgers pitching coach Jim Colborn said. ``I don't know what it is, but that's the feeling I have when I watch him throw now.''

--Daal feeling fine: Daal, skipped over for today's start against Toronto because of biceps tendinitis, threw a bullpen session and said his arm felt better than it has at most junctures of the season.

``I feel a little bit stronger,'' Daal said. ``It's because of the exercise, working with the four-pound weights. It feels great. My arm felt stronger in the bullpen then it did before.''

Daal, who is 0-3 with an 11.57 ERA in his past three starts after posting a 0.88 ERA the first six weeks of the season, will throw another bullpen session Thursday and will face Boston on Saturday.

--No monkey business: After the Dodgers beat the Angels in two of three games over the weekend, Tracy's dog worked out some aggression on the Angels Rally Monkey. Maggie, the family's beagle, was given the Rally Monkey by Tracy's kids.

``We had the off day (Monday) and, my wife being out of town, I'm doing a little dog-sitting and for whatever reason she felt compelled to take the eyes off the Rally Monkey,'' Tracy said.

``So I picked those up real quick before she choked on them. I was sitting at the kitchen table and I looked up and I saw the arms and legs of that monkey flying all over the place.''

--No Luke: Toronto right-hander Luke Prokopec, traded from the Dodgers in the offseason deal that brought reliever Paul Quantrill and shortstop Cesar Izturis from the Blue Jays, was scheduled to start Tuesday's game before elbow tendinitis landed him on the disabled list. He likely will be out until after the All-Star break, meaning he won't get the chance for which he's been waiting.

``It's one thing I've been looking forward to for the last month and a half,'' Prokopec said about wanting to throw against his old team. ``Every week I had the schedule and been counting it out when I would pitch. It would have been a good time to face your buddies and take it to them, throw a couple of balls around (Paul) Lo Duca's neck and scare the (expletive) out of him.''

Prokopec is 2-7 with a 5.86 ERA in 12 starts. He hurt his elbow when he changed his arm angle learning a two-seam fastball and was placed on the disabled list.

``I don't miss playing for the Dodgers,'' Prokopec said. ``What I do miss is just all the friendships that I made. That's been the saddest thing for me.''

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DARREN DREIFORT

The right-hander, rehabilitating from elbow surgery, could either be a starter or reliever if and when he returns.