DODGERS NOTEBOOK: SKILLFUL ROBERTS MIGHT BE ODD MAN OUT.

Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - Dave Roberts has been impressive the first month of spring training, but he's not guaranteed $3.75 million, like the ailing Tom Goodwin. And, unlike McKay Christensen, Roberts has a minor-league option remaining.

It's a numbers game that could be insurmountable for Roberts to overcome in the competition for the Dodgers' center-field and leadoff spot. And it could send Roberts to Triple-A Las Vegas for the start of the season.

``If I play well and show that I'm capable, I don't think it would matter,'' Roberts said Monday. ``I don't think it should.''

But it might.

The Dodgers have no prospects ready at Triple-A to fill in for an injured outfielder. General manager Dan Evans acquired Roberts from Cleveland in a minor-league trade in hopes Roberts could make the major- league club but acknowledged Roberts could be sent to the minors.

Evans also acknowledged minor-league options could come into play.

``It might (be a factor), but it's too early to comment on something like that,'' Evans said.

Roberts, a UCLA product, leads the center-field candidates with a .471 batting average, a .550 on-base percentage, five runs scored, three walks and three stolen bases.

Christensen went 0 for 3 Monday batting leadoff against the Mets and is batting .444 with a .500 on-base percentage, three runs scored, two walks and a stolen base.

Roberts and Christensen both have four starts in the leadoff spot and played 38 and 36 innings, respectively, in center field.

Goodwin hasn't played in a week because of a strained oblique muscle, but when he was in the lineup, he demonstrated why the Dodgers thought an upgrade in center field and atop the lineup was necessary. Goodwin is scheduled to play today against Montreal.

Goodwin had one hit in 10 at-bats and a .250 on-base percentage. He also stole one base. Roberts and Christensen also incorporate bunting and working counts in their offense much more than Goodwin.

``I've said many times, there's more to this game than just statistically oriented situations - you know, field presence, baseball instincts, presence of mind,'' manager Jim Tracy said. ``You know, it's the ability to make plays because mentally the individual is one step ahead of the other guy. To me, these are all things that point to a championship-caliber player. And I know I've said this before, there is a difference. There is a difference.''

The Dodgers plan to carry five outfielders, and four of the spots are expected to go to Brian Jordan, Shawn Green, Marquis Grissom and Dante Bichette. It leaves Christensen, Roberts and Goodwin vying for one spot, but Dodgers manager Jim Tracy intimated the club wouldn't look at contract figures when configuring the roster.

``We're looking for the best baseball team that we can take with us,'' Tracy said. ``That's what I'm interested in.''

--Grudzielanek to play: Dodgers second baseman Mark Grudzielanek will make his Grapefruit League debut today after missing the first 12 games with a strained right hamstring. Grudzielanek worked out at Dodgertown, running the bases and sliding, and reported no problems.

Tracy said he would start Cesar Izturis at shortstop. Izturis is in a quasi-battle with Alex Cora for the starting shortstop spot, but Izturis is expected to win the job.

--Case not closed: Right-hander Matt Herges was roughed up for three runs on one hit in four innings and hasn't thrown particularly well this spring, but Tracy isn't worried. In fact, Tracy said he will open the season with a closer-by-committee if the Dodgers don't trade for an established closer. Paul Quantrill and Herges will be the leaders of the committee.

``To start the season, there will be no closer named coming out of spring,'' Tracy said.

--At first glimpse: After more than a month of spring training, L.A. will get its first look at the Dodgers during a televised two-game series this weekend against the Yankees. The Dodgers start recently acquired lefty Kazuhisa Ishii on Saturday and right-hander Hideo Nomo on Sunday.

However, the Yankees might not be bringing their best. Manager Joe Torre said he won't accompany the Yankees on the three-hour stay-over trip because the defending American League champs have split-squad games both days, both on the Gulf Coast.

--Odds and ends: The Dodgers are expected to make their first cuts in the next day or so, but no surprises are expected. It will thin out the pitching staff and allow the bullpen candidates to pitch back-to-back days, and multiple innings. ... Right-handers Andy Ashby and Kevin Brown, both coming off elbow surgery, reported no stiffness the day after their Sunday outings. ... Bobby Valentine went to Lawnwood Regional Medical Center in Fort Pierce, Fla., just after 6 a.m. EST with a kidney stone. The New York Mets manager was given intravenous fluids, passed the stone and made it to work in time for his team's 5-0 victory over the Dodgers.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

DODGERS vs. MONTREAL

Time: 10:05 a.m., Holman Stadium.

Radio: 1150-AM (tape delay at noon), 1330-AM (Spanish, tape delay at 4 p.m.)

Matchup: RH Hideo Nomo and LH Kazuhisa Ishii pitch against the Expos. Nomo has allowed two runs in six innings this spring.

Monday's result: The Dodgers managed three hits for the second consecutive day in a 5-0 loss to the Mets. LH Terry Mulholland surrendered a two-run homer in the first inning to Roberto Alomar.

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DODGERS vs. MONTREAL (see text)