DODGERS NOTEBOOK: PLAYOFF ROSTER ON TAP.

Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer

Manager Jim Tracy, interim general manager Dave Wallace and his top assistant, Dan Evans, will meet today and begin piecing together their postseason roster for Friday's 9 p.m. deadline.

However, flexible rules concerning players on the disabled list will make it possible for the Dodgers to delay key pitching decisions until the end of the season. Instead, the focus will be on the configuration of the position players and whether the Dodgers want to add Phil Hiatt or McKay Christensen to the roster.

According to major-league rules, the Dodgers' 25-man roster that begins play Friday and those players on the 15-day and 60-day disabled lists form the pool of players that will make up the Dodgers' 25-man playoff roster.

The Dodgers are considering recalling Hiatt before Friday's deadline to give Tracy right-handed power off the bench. Hiatt, who batted .182 with a homer and 13 strikeouts in 33 at-bats for the Dodgers in April, has 44 homers for Triple-A Las Vegas and could supplant Bruce Aven. Hiatt has played first base recently for Las Vegas.

``What you're thinking about is depth and giving Tracy the threat of a home run,'' Wallace said. ``One guy is a long-ball threat every time and the other guy will probably give you a little better of an at-bat. I'm sure Tracy would like to say, `Hey, I have a guy over here who can hit the ball out of the park.' ''

That role also could be filled by oft-injured infielder Tim Bogar, who has played in just 12 games this season. Bogar, rehabilitating in Las Vegas, will be available because he is on the 15-day disabled list. He also has right-handed power, hitting two homers in 15 at-bats this season. Also to be discussed is the merits of a third catcher, likely to be Brian Johnson.

Evans and Wallace also have scoured the waiver wire, but to this point they have been unable to find a suitable right-handed power hitter to come off the bench.

Wallace said it's possible the Dodgers would go with 10 pitchers during the postseason, but there is no urgency in deciding that matter.

Though injured with no chance of pitching in the postseason, Darren Dreifort and Andy Ashby will be in the pool. Because both are on the 60-day disabled list, the Dodgers will be able to choose any other pitcher in their organization to fill those spots on the postseason roster. It makes every pitcher in the organization available for postseason selection.

--Grudzielanek update: Second baseman Mark Grudzielanek had his chipped right middle finger examined by team physician Dr. Frank Jobe but wasn't too worried about the results. Even before the meeting, Grudzielanek said he planned on returning by week's end.

``I'm looking at Thursday or Friday as a possibility, with or without whatever the doctor says,'' Grudzielanek said. ``I'll definitely hear him out. Dr. Jobe is the best. We'll see what he has to say and go from there.''

Grudzielanek hurt the finger Sunday, but said he's been injured too much already this season. He sprained his right ankle and tore a ligament in his right thumb that might require surgery after the season.

``The joint is still tender,'' Grudzielanek said. ``I let them know that I can hit. I definitely can hit, but I'm sure they'd rather not.''

--Roster expansion: Rosters expand from 25 to 40 Saturday, and at that time left-hander Jesse Orosco is slated to be activated from the disabled list. Tracy said potential candidates may not be summoned until after Las Vegas' season ends Sept. 3, but those to be recalled include Chris Donnels, Hiatt (if he's not on the playoff roster), Christensen and Jeff Williams.

The Dodgers also could recall right-hander Al Reyes, if he clears waivers, and there will be discussions about adding right-hander Dennis Springer and catcher Angel Pena.

--Roster move: To make room on the 25-man roster for Kevin Brown, who was activated from the disabled list to start against the Rockies, left-hander Williams was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas. Williams, who joined the team last Tuesday and appeared in one game, will make one start for Las Vegas before being recalled when rosters are expanded. Williams is 2-1 with a 6.65 ERA in 13 games for the Dodgers.

DODGERS vs. COLORADO

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

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

Matchup: Dodgers RH James Baldwin (2-1, 3.47 ERA) makes his second start of the season against the Rockies. He made his Dodgers debut July 29 and allowed two runs in eight innings but wasn't involved in the decision. Baldwin allowed two runs on five hits in eight innings in beating Florida in his last start. The Rockies counter with rookie RH Jason Jennings (1-0, 0.00), who shut out the Mets on five hits in his major-league debut Thursday. Jennings struck out eight and also hit a homer in beating the Mets.

-Brian Dohn

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DODGERS vs. COLORADO (see text)