DODGERS NOTEBOOK: SHAW SAYS HE'S RIGHT ON SCHEDULE.

Byline: Brian Dohn Daily News Staff Writer

Jeff Shaw finally pitched.

Now, if Todd Hundley would catch a game and Gary Sheffield would return to left field, the Dodgers would finally have their full squad in place for an inning or so of spring training.

``More of the parts are getting involved,'' Dodgers manager Davey Johnson said.

Shaw, the Dodgers closer who missed most of spring training while awaiting the birth of his third child, pitched an inning, threw 28 pitches and gave up a pair of unearned runs Friday against the New York Mets. Not that anything outside the number of pitches means much.

The original plan was for Shaw to throw mostly fastballs, but after a pair of runners reached on errors, he mixed in some sliders.

``I would have to say his velocity was as good as it was at the end as when he started,'' pitching coach Charlie Hough said. ``He was eight inches higher than he would like to be. He threw probably 10 more pitches than would have been preferred, but he's an awfully good competitor out there.''

While in Washington Court House, Ohio, for nearly a month of spring training, Shaw kept in shape by throwing on the side. Ideally, Shaw said he'll throw every other day in spring training and work 12 to 15 innings.

``If you look at some of the other guys in the league, they've only got two or three innings, so I'm not that far behind,'' said Shaw, who had 48 saves with the Dodgers and Cincinnati Reds last season. ``I feel like I'm ahead, like I'm right where I need to be.''

Spring-training decision delayed: The Dodgers are expected to delay the announcement of a possible move to Arizona for spring training. The decision was originally supposed to be made by the end of March as to whether or not they would leave Dodgertown for a new facility.

Dodgers president and CEO Bob Graziano said it's taking longer than anticipated for the city of Vero Beach and Indian River County to gather information into purchasing Dodgertown from the team and then leasing it back.

``I can guarantee it's not going to be made by March 31,'' Graziano said. ``I would say the decision would come in the middle of April or the end of April.''

The Dodgers are examining a move to the Fort McDowell Indian Reservation northeast of Phoenix, which would end a 51-year partnership of Vero Beach and the club-owned Dodgertown.

``We can wait a reasonable amount of time,'' Graziano said. ``We need to keep our finger on the pulse of it. As long as they're working hard on it, and we think they are, then we'll wait. It takes time when the state is involved.''

The Fort McDowell Indian Community said it's willing to build a $30 million complex for the Dodgers, complete with cloverleaf practice fields and a 12,500-seat stadium.

Balks, walks and chalk: Utility infielder Juan Castro played shortstop late in the game, his first appearance since being sidelined with a thigh strain March 7. . . . Third baseman Adrian Beltre left the game after the top of the first inning when he felt a twinge in his left groin while running to second on a double. ``It happened a week ago, but it's nothing serious,'' Beltre said. He's expected to rest today and return to action Sunday, Johnson said. . . . Johnson said he didn't expect Sheffield, nursing a sore right shoulder, to return to action until late next week.

DODGERS UPDATE

Friday's recap: Kevin Gibbs walked with the bases loaded in the 10th inning as the Dodgers beat the Mets 7-6 in Port St. Lucie. Left-hander Carlos Perez allowed one earned run in 4-2/3 innings.

Today's games: The way his spring is going (six walks in eight innings, 5.63 ERA), Darren Dreifort looks for improvement today against the Baltimore Orioles in Fort Lauderdale. Scott Kamieniecki will start for the Orioles in 10:05 a.m. game.

Radio: XTRA Sports AM 1150, AM 610

- Brian Dohn

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