DODGERS NOTEBOOK: TEAMMATES GIVE BELTRE MVP SUPPORT.

Byline: Rich Hammond  Staff Writer

What started as a smattering of support is quickly turning into a chorus. When Adrian Beltre steps into the batter's box at Dodger Stadium, he is often greeted with the chant of ``M-V-P.''

It's not such a ridiculous idea. St. Louis' Albert Pujols likely would be considered the favorite at this point, but Beltre was one of only three National League hitters to rank in the top 10 in batting average, home runs and RBI entering Wednesday (Pujols and the Cardinals' Scott Rolen are the others).

Jim Thome and Barry Bonds are also strong candidates, but if Pujols and Rolen split the vote, Beltre (.324, 34 home runs, 82 RBI) could be the winner in a year that started with many pundits and fans wondering if Beltre would ever be able to put up big offensive numbers for a complete season.

``Obviously there are a lot of guys doing great things, but I don't think any guy in this league has done more for his team than Adrian has for us,'' Shawn Green said.

``They're all great players, but Beltre has been, head and shoulders, the reason we're in first place right now.''

Beltre hit .240 in 2003 and the Dodgers resisted the idea of giving him a long-term contract because they weren't sure he would ever overcome his inconsistency.

This year, however, Beltre started hitting and never stopped, and has been the Dodgers' cleanup hitter since late June.

Now Beltre is an overwhelming fan favorite and the chant isn't likely to subside soon.

``It's cool; it means a lot to me that the fans do that,'' Beltre said.

``I don't know what will happen for the rest of the year, but it means a lot that they see me helping the team.

``I can't control (MVP talk). Just to be mentioned with those guys, it's something huge. It says that I'm doing a pretty good job. I don't really expect to win, but just to be considered among those players, like Bonds and Pujols, it's a big, big thing for me.''

Beltre could be hurt by his past perception as an underachiever, which seemed to be the case when he wasn't selected for this year's All-Star team, but Beltre hasn't gone through a prolonged slump this season.

``The MVP award is not for a career, it's for a season,'' Green said.

--Help on the way? The Dodgers acquired 29-year-old left-handed reliever Scott Stewart from the Cleveland Indians for a player to be named later, and Stewart could join the Dodgers today.

Stewart allowed 11 earned runs in 13 2/3 innings for the Indians this season but was sent to Triple-A Buffalo (N.Y.) last month. Stewart, a four- year major-league veteran, has a 3.85 ERA in 203 career games.

--Injury report: Edwin Jackson (strained forearm) was scheduled to pitch two innings in a rehabilitation start for Triple-A Las Vegas against Tucson.

However, manager Jim Tracy said he would consider having Jackson pitch out of the bullpen in Las Vegas, because the Dodgers might use Jackson as a reliever in September.

``It would be interesting to see how he would fare, warming up and coming into a game,'' Tracy said.

Hideo Nomo (rotator cuff tendinitis) will make his second rehab start for Las Vegas on Saturday and is scheduled to throw four innings.

Brad Penny (strained biceps) is likely to remain on the disabled list after he is eligible to return Tuesday.

Rich Hammond, [phone]

rich.hammond(at)dailynews.com

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ADRIAN BELTRE

One of only three in NL in top 10 in batting average, home runs and RBI entering Wednesday.