DODGERS NOTEBOOK: TOMKO WANTS TO CLOSE.

Byline: TONY JACKSON  Staff Writer

CINCINNATI -- Dodgers pitcher Brett Tomko, who is three appearances into his experimental conversion from starter to reliever, said Tuesday his goal is to eventually be a closer.

Tomko was quick to add he isn't targeting anyone else's job -- the closer role currently belongs to rookie Takashi Saito -- but with the injured Eric Gagne likely done as a Dodger and the aging Saito not necessarily viewed as a long-term replacement, it is apparent the job could open as soon as next season.

``I think that's the ultimate goal, either sooner or later, but who knows?'' Tomko said. ``Saito has done a great job, and I don't want to take anybody out of what they're doing. (Jonathan) Broxton is in the mix, too.

``But it is something I would like to do, so we'll see what happens. The main thing right now is to just get comfortable pitching out of the bullpen, and going two or three days in a row and getting used to the mental preparation.''

So far, that hasn't been a problem. In three one-inning relief appearances, Tomko has yet to allow a run and has given up just one hit.

Saito spent 14 seasons -- two of them closing -- with the Yokohama Baystars  of Japan's Central League. He has converted all nine of his save opportunities for the Dodgers this season. His rookie status aside, though, he clearly is in the twilight of his professional career at age 36, and it isn't clear where he fits in the Dodgers' plans beyond this season.

Broxton, meanwhile, has closer stuff but is 22 and inexperienced. Tomko, 33, is a nine-year major-league veteran with a proven track record.

Sele out: Aaron Sele, who turned in five solid innings and gutted his way through a shaky sixth in Tuesday's win over Cincinnati, is the odd man out of the Dodgers' rotation, which became crowded when the club acquired Greg Maddux on Monday.

``At this point, we will move Aaron Sele to the bullpen and then go with five starters,'' Dodgers manager Grady Little said. ``We feel like this is what is best for our club.''

That means that beginning tonight, when Maddux makes his Dodgers debut against the Reds, the club will go with a rotation of Maddux, Derek Lowe, Chad Billingsley, Mark Hendrickson and Brad Penny.

Billingsley and Hendrickson were the other candidates to be squeezed out, but Little said Sele can be a valuable long reliever for the Dodgers. Sele is 7-4 with a 3.95 ERA in 14 starts and two relief appearances.