DODGERS NOTEBOOK: TRADE FOR CHECO GIVES DODGERS SOME INSURANCE.

Byline: Brian Dohn Daily News Staff Writer

The Dodgers had their eye on right-handed reliever Robinson Checo before trade talk surfaced with the Detroit Tigers.

The Dodgers tried to sign Checo as a free agent during the offseason, but Checo chose to sign with the Tigers because he liked his chances to make their club.

With Friday's trade that sent pitchers Dave Mlicki and Mel Rojas to the Tigers, the Dodgers now have Checo, as well as minor-league pitchers Apostol Garcia and Richard Roberts.

``I'm not happy for my friends (in Detroit), but I'm happy that I have a new club and a new chance,'' Checo said before Saturday's game against San Diego. ``My agent talked with the Dodgers during (the winter) but it didn't work out.''

Checo, signed originally by the Boston Red Sox after playing in Japan, will be used in middle relief. The Dodgers like the 27-year-old's ``live arm.'' Checo's fastball has been clocked in the mid-90s. He also throws a slider, change-up and split-finger fastball.

General manager Kevin Malone said Checo worked out for the Dodgers in the Dominican Republic during the offseason.

``We think he's versatile enough to be an emergency starter or reliever because he has a powerful arm,'' Malone said. ``(Mlicki) wasn't going to get the innings.''

Checo is 1-3 with a 5.57 ERA in seven major-league appearances.

Disabled: Kevin Brown has been on the disabled list four times, but not since May 1996. Darren Dreifort was on the disabled list twice, but not since June 1997; Carlos Perez's only stint lasted the 1996 season when he had left shoulder surgery and Ismael Valdes was on it twice, the most recent being in September.

Chan Ho Park hasn't been on the disabled list.

Balks, walks and chalk: Last Sunday's rainout with Colorado was rescheduled as part of a day-night doubleheader July 22. A 7:10 p.m. start will be added to the already scheduled 1:10 p.m. game. . . . One-time free-swinging right fielder Raul Mondesi drew a first inning walk, the 10th straight game he's reached base on balls. It was his 12th walk of the season. He has 12 walks. A year ago he didn't collect his 11th walk until June 7, the Dodgers' 67th game. . . . In the bottom of the first inning LoDuca threw out Quilvio Veras trying to steal second. It was the first time in 14 attempts an opponent was thrown out. . . . The Dodgers' Jacob Brumfield started in center for Devon White, who was 1 for 19 on the road trip.

DODGERS vs. SAN DIEGO

Time: 1:05 p.m., at Qualcomm Stadium.

TV/Radio: Channel 5; KXTA-AM (1150), KWKW-AM (1330 Spanish).

Matchup: The Dodgers end a seven-game road trip with right-hander Ismael Valdes (1-0, 4.05 ERA) facing the Padres' Woody Williams (0-0, 3.46). The last time Valdes started a game, it lasted more than five hours. It was the 16-inning loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks. Valdes pitched 5-2/3 innings, yielding four runs on nine hits and three walks. That came after a season-opening masterpiece in which he allowed two runs in 7-2/3 innings. Williams, a right-hander, is coming off six innings of four-run ball at Colorado's Coors Field, which qualifies as a quality outing. He was acquired by the Padres in the trade that sent Joey Hamilton to the Toronto Blue Jays.

- Brian Dohn

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BOX: DODGERS vs. SAN DIEGO (see text)