DODGERS NOTEBOOK: TOMKO'S CHANGE IS A FAST ONE.

Byline: RICH HAMMOND  Staff Writer

Brett Tomko's transition from starting pitching to relief did more than boost the Dodgers' bullpen. It also enlivened Tomko's fastball.

Tomko has been effective in a late-innings role. Entering Monday, he had made nine appearances and allowed one earned run and five hits in nine innings, and seen a significant jump in his fastball.

Tomko said his fastball ranged from 91 to 94 miles per hour as a starter and now has improved to between 94 and 97, a bonus for a pitcher who, at age 33, might expect to be losing a little velocity.

``Last year I had times (as a starter) when my velocity was this high, but it was in short spurts,'' Tomko said before Monday's game. ``I had an inkling that it might benefit from a move like this.''

Such a jump is far from unprecedented. Eric Gagne had a similar boost in velocity when he moved to the bullpen and like Gagne, Tomko said the edge is primarily mental.

``You don't have to save yourself,'' Tomko said. ``You're not going out there thinking you have to throw 100 or 110 pitches. Hopefully it's only 12 or 13.''

Tomko had a 5.12 ERA as a starter and last week, manager Grady Little said Tomko would remain a reliever for the rest of this season, barring significant injuries.

Done for year: Jayson Werth finally got in touch with the Dodgers on Monday and let them know that he underwent season-ending wrist surgery Wednesday at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota.

Dodgers trainer Stan Johnston said Werth will be in a cast for the next six weeks, after which he will begin rehab and should be 100 percent for spring training.

Werth didn't play a game this season. He initially had surgery on this wrist Nov. 17.

Getting a chance: Wilson Betemit made a rare start against a left-handed pitcher, part of Little's desire to give rookie outfielder Andre Ethier a day off.

Betemit started at third base and Julio Lugo replaced Ethier in left field. Betemit entered the game with just one hit in 12at-bats against lefties as a Dodger and a .193 average against lefties overall this season. Monday marked the first time since July 8 that Ethier didn't start a game.

Making an impression: Elmer Dessens, on the disabled list since Aug. 7 (retroactive to Aug. 3) with a sprained ankle, will pitch for Triple-A Las Vegas on Wednesday and, if all goes well, will be activated by the Dodgers on Friday. Little said he hasn't decide whether he will stay with 11 pitchers or go with 12.