DODGERS NOTEBOOK: ROOKIE GETS STAR TREATMENT.

Byline: Jill Painter Staff Writer

PHOENIX - On Tuesday night, Edwin Jackson had a chance to see what everyone else saw.

After beating the Arizona Diamondbacks in his major-league debut, the Dodgers' rookie right-hander watched ESPN's ``SportsCenter'' with his family, which is in town from Georgia. He said he talked with them about beating Randy Johnson for his first major-league win - on his 20th birthday, no less - then enjoyed the accolades.

``I watched (ESPN) one time,'' Jackson said. ``What they had to say was definitely a self-esteem booster.''

After such an impressive start, everyone is saying good things.

Jackson proved he was more than worthy of the hype that accompanied his first outing. Now the question is, will we see him again anytime soon?

He made the spot start for injured Hideo Nomo, but Nomo is scheduled to throw a bullpen session today. If he says he's ready, Nomo will start Sunday. If not, Jackson will go.

``I'm always ready to step up,'' Jackson said. ``I'm ready to answer the call if it comes to that.''

Jackson was all the rage on talk shows and had more than a dozen interview requests Wednesday, when he watched film with pitching coach Jim Colborn. They dissected his start, in which he threw 79 pitches and allowed one run on four hits in seven innings.

Colborn was impressed with the location of his pitches and his poise and not just that 98 mph fastball, although that was nice, too.

``He has good stuff, that's easy to see,'' Colborn said. ``Beyond that, he kept his composure.''

Jackson already is drawing comparisons to Dwight Gooden. Dodgers manager Jim Tracy said the young pitcher's mannerisms and the way he begins his delivery are similar.

Still, Tracy said it's not likely to see Jackson coming out of the bullpen in a tight situation just yet.

``Keep in mind, he's 20 years old,'' Tracy said. ``To start pushing the envelope, I don't know that we'd do that. As I said, we'll keep him in a routine ... I don't want to compromise a 20-year-old kid.''

Though Jackson had fun watching himself on TV, he seemed more impressed with closer Eric Gagne, who earned his 50th save.

``You look at him on TV and then he comes in to pitch, and I thought, `Wow. He's coming in to close for me.' It was an adrenaline rush,'' Jackson said.

--Roberts out: Center field Dave Roberts hasn't played since Sept. 4 because of what originally was diagnosed as a sprain of the right side of his neck.

Roberts still can't move his head without stiffness and some pain and also is having trouble sleeping. He was scheduled to see a doctor late Tuesday afternoon and is expected to undergo tests today.

``(Am I) concerned? No, I just want to know what the problem is,'' Roberts said.

--Stealing signs? The Diamondbacks accused the Dodgers of stealing signs in the third inning Tuesday, when the Dodgers scored three runs. Tracy declined comment.