DODGERS NOTEBOOK: SOURCES: BEIRNE TO JAPAN.

Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer

Dodgers right-hander Kevin Beirne, who made three spot starts during the final three weeks of the season and pitched well, likely won't be back next season because the Dodgers are close to selling his contract to a Japanese team, sources said Wednesday.

The Dodgers will receive about $500,000 for Beirne, who apparently has agreed to continue his career with the Kintetsu Buffaloes of the Japanese League.

Beirne became expendable for the Dodgers because the club believes he would have a difficult time making the opening-day roster. The 28-year-old Beirne, who played college football at Texas A&M, is out of minor-league options.

Beirne, 28, pitched briefly with the Chicago White Sox and Toronto Blue Jays before making his Dodgers debut Aug. 3. He went 2-0 with a 3.41 ERA in 12 games with L.A. and was 1-0 with a 4.50 ERA as a starter. He was acquired as a minor-league free agent in December.

Beirne's lone victory as a starter came when he pitched 5 2/3 innings in beating San Diego on Sept. 28, the same day the Dodgers were eliminated from the playoffs.

The agreement with the Buffaloes makes sense for the Dodgers since the teams have a working agreement. In fact, next season Dodgers senior vice president Tommy Lasorda again will be a consultant for Kintetsu.

--Riggleman interviews: Dodgers bench coach Jim Riggleman interviewed in Seattle for the Mariners' vacant managerial job.

Riggleman, who managed with San Diego and the Chicago Cubs and has been on the Dodgers' bench the past two seasons, is one of 10 candidates, and many in the Dodgers organization believe he has a strong chance.

``We had a good discussion,'' Seattle general manager Pat Gillick said. ``We talked about a variety of topics, and his enthusiasm for the job came through.''

The Mariners will interview 10 candidates beside Riggleman, and Gillick hopes to begin second interviews early next week. Riggleman was excited about the opportunity.

``I think the Seattle situation is a great opportunity,'' Riggleman said. ``This year is a strange year. Usually, you take over a team that lost 100 games, but (former manager) Lou Piniella left and there's still a very good team in Seattle.''

--Trade demand official: As reported, Dodgers left fielder Brian Jordan filed his demand for a trade Wednesday morning, said his agent, Jim Turner.

The formality, afforded to Jordan as a player traded in the middle of a multiyear contract, comes with no harsh feelings from either side. Dodgers general manager Dan Evans continued to say he wouldn't seek to trade Jordan, and Turner said the move was made in an effort to provide Jordan stability for his family, which lives in Atlanta.

If Jordan, who batted .285 with 10 homers and 80 RBI in his first season as a Dodger, is not traded by March 15 and does not rescind the demand, he would become a free agent and risk losing the $11.5 million guaranteed on his contract.

--Congrats: Dodgers senior vice president Derrick Hall will travel to Tempe, Ariz., today and be inducted into Arizona State University's Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communications Hall of Fame.