DODGERS NOTEBOOK: SCIOSCIA OUT AS TRIPLE-A MANAGER.

Byline: Matt McHale Staff Writer

Mike Scioscia, the longtime Dodgers catcher who becamethe manager at Triple-A Albuquerque this season, will not return next year.

Scioscia did not want to come back for a second year in the minor leagues, and the Dodgers were not prepared to put him back on the major-league coaching staff.

``Mike did a a fine job for the season at Albuquerque,'' farm director Bill Geivett said. ``We're disappointed in the prospect of losing a staff member with Mike's ability. However, I understand Mike's situation and i wish him the best in his endeavors.''

Scioscia, who served as the Dodgers bench coach the previous two seasons, guided Albuquerque to a 65-74 record in the Pacific Coast League Western Division.

In 1998, Scioscia and long-time third-base coach Joey Amalfitano survived a purge of the Dodgers coaching staff.

But after manager Davey Johnson took over, Scioscia was reassigned and Amalfitano left the organization to join the San Francisco Giants minor-league department.

Scioscia, a member of two World Series-winning teams with the Dodgers, previously managed in 1997 in the Arizona Fall League.

The Dodgers are in the midst of evaluating their major-league coaching staff and expect to make a decision on their futures before the end of the season.

The coaching staff includes Glenn Hoffman (third base), Claude Osteen (pitching), Rick Down (hitting), Jim Tracy (dugout), Rick Dempsey (bullpen), John Shelby (first base).

Sheffield gets wires crossed

Even in a forgettable season, Gary Sheffield took the thought to an extreme.

After undergoing an MRI exam on his ailing right knee Monday afternoon, Sheffield returned to his Bel Air home instead of driving to Dodger Stadium for his game against the San Francisco Giants.

When he arrived home, Sheffield was greeted by his surprised wife, Deleon.

``She said, `What are you doing here? Don't you have a game tonight?' '' Sheffield said. ``They usually don't schedule MRI's on game days. It was Monday and I just thought we didn't have a game.''

Sheffield got back in the car and arrived at Dodger Stadium around 5 p.m. Manager Davey Johnson had Sheffield in the starting lineup and allowed him to play despite missing batting practice.

``It was a mix-up, that's all; I'm not bothered by that,'' Johnson said. ``They don't usually do MRIs on game days.''

Johnson probably cut him some slack because despite knee and shoulder problems, Sheffield has been one of the most durable and productive Dodgers.

Sheffield, who has 27 homers and 89 RBI, is tied with Eric Karros for second in games played on the club (142) behind Raul Mondesi (147).

The MRI revealed no structural damage in his right knee but found scar tissue from an old injury around a ligament that has caused discomfort.

Sheffield, who underwent surgery on his right shoulder last winter, said he was told by doctors that an offseason rehabilitation program should properly strengthen the knee and shoulder by spring training.

Dreifort uncertain: Right-hander Darren Dreifort, bothered by shoulder trouble the past two weeks, might be done for the season.

Dreifort, limited to just four innings last Wednesday, was scratched for tonight's start and replaced by minor-league left-hander Jeff Williams.

DODGERS vs. SAN FRANCISCO

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

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

Matchup: In the second of three games with the Giants, left-hander Jeff Williams (0-0, 4.50 ERA) makes his first major-league start when he faces left-hander Kirk Reuter (14-8, 5.12). Williams, a native of Australia, has made two relief appearances since his contract was purchased Sept. 6 from Triple-A Albuquerque. Reuter, who will be making his 100th career start, is the first Giants left-hander since Vida Blue (1978-80) to post three consecutive seasons with at least 13 victories.

- Matt McHale

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Box: Dodgers vs. San Francisco (see text)