DODGERS NOTEBOOK: SHUEY JOINS TRIBE EXODUS.

Byline: Jill Painter Staff Writer

SAN FRANCISCO - Paul Shuey didn't feel the excitement in Cleveland this year.

It's no wonder, considering the organization is unloading players at an alarming rate. The hapless Indians recently have dealt pitchers Chuck Finley and Bartolo Colon. They traded Roberto Alomar in the offseason and now Shuey.

Shuey was traded to the Dodgers on Sunday for Terry Mulholland and two minor-leaguers.

The Indians (39-63), who had been to the playoffs in five of the past six seasons, are 24 games under .500.

``This year in Cleveland, I haven't had a lot of butterflies in the bullpen,'' Shuey said. ``I'm looking forward to getting that back. A lot of games we were just trying to keep it close. I'm looking forward to getting back in the thick of it.''

The Dodgers are off today and play at Cincinnati on Tuesday. Shuey will join the team there.

Shuey, 31, grew up in the Indians organization and is playing his 11th season of professional baseball. He was a first-round selection in 1992 and never had been traded. He began his first stint with the Indians in 1994 and has a career record of 31-21 and a 3.72 ERA.

Dodgers outfielder Dave Roberts, traded from the Indians in the offseason, was excited about a reunion with Shuey.

``His stuff is probably the best stuff, the top-five in baseball,'' Roberts said. ``He has command of three pitches - fastball, curveball and splitter. He's a great teammate and a great clubhouse guy.''

Shuey has had a history of stints on the disabled list - 11 - including one this year for a strained groin. Most have been right groin and hamstring strains.

But if Shuey stays healthy, he's expected to make the Dodgers bullpen one of the best.

``It's pretty good, isn't it?'' Dodgers manager Jim Tracy said. ``When you have Giovanni Carrara, Jesse Orosco, Paul Shuey, Paul Quantrill and Eric Gagne waiting on the back end, I'd say you've got yourself a pretty solid bullpen.''

--Another year, another trade: Reliever Terry Mulholland, 39, rode the bus to Pac Bell Park with his Dodgers teammates Sunday after news of the trade. Mulholland has played for nine major-league teams in 16 seasons.

``It was tough leaving friends,'' Mulholland said. ``I've been around this game long enough and traded enough that you come to realize it's part of the game. This time of year, ballclubs are trying to improve themselves. I understand that.

``(Dodgers general manager) Dan Evans is positioning the team and Paul Shuey is very capable. Let's face it, I didn't have a very good first half.''

--Mota down: Reliever Guillermo Mota was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas and the Dodgers recalled left-hander Victor Alvarez. Alvarez was 8-5 with three saves and a 4.49 ERA with the 51's. Mota was 1-1 with a 4.28 ERA.

--Odds and ends: Kevin Brown threw an 80-pitch bullpen session in Los Angeles on Sunday and is expected to throw again Tuesday. ``From what I understand, he felt good and had no problems whatsoever,'' Evans said. ... Omar Daal is expected to make his start against Philadelphia on Friday. Daal injured his right shin while sliding into home plate Saturday and came out of the game. ... Dodgers first baseman Eric Karros returned to the lineup Sunday. He missed Friday's game because of the birth of his second son and Tracy decided to start Tyler Houston at first base Saturday.

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PAUL SHUEY

New Dodgers reliever is the third pitcher Cleveland has traded recently.