DODGERS NOTEBOOK: TRACY EYES VETERAN AS FIFTH STARTER.

Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer

TAMPA, Fla. - Eric Gagne was brilliant as he allowed one hit in five shutout innings Saturday against the Yankees. But his chances of making the Dodgers' starting rotation took a hit because of Ramon Martinez's four shutout innings.

Manager Jim Tracy said the right-handers' outings didn't make the decision-making process any easier, but he acknowledged a veteran would be an asset as a fifth starter thanks largely to the early-season schedule.

Tracy said he'll need to use the fifth starter eight times in the first two months, so that person will need to be experienced enough to be used in long relief.

``If you have a solid veteran guy that understands what that's all about, it makes the situation all that much easier,'' Tracy said. ``And you learn how to pitch by pitching. You want a young player to pitch.''

Martinez, 32, and with 135 big-league wins, said he had no problem doing that. Gagne, 25, and with 24 major-league starts to fall back on, said he understood he might begin the season with Triple-A Las Vegas.

But there was concern from the Dodgers because Martinez, a notorious slow spring starter, wasn't pitching well. He walked nine in nine innings and was erratic with his location. Against the Yankees, Martinez followed Gagne's 54-pitch outing by allowing four hits, walking one and striking out two.

``If it's good for them to keep Ramon ... that's fine,'' said Gagne, who has a 2.08 ERA this spring. ``I know I'll be up here sooner or later. Sooner I hope. But I know they'll call on me. I'll be part of this team.''

--Odds and ends: Utility player Hiram Bocachica, the favorite to win a spot on the opening-day 25-man roster, fouled a ball off his left ankle against Florida. It's listed as a bruise and he's day-to-day.