DODGERS NOTEBOOK: VIZCAINO BACK SUNDAY?

Byline: Marc J. Spears Daily News Staff Writer

The Dodgers might want to spend a little more time stretching their hamstrings.

Shortstop Jose Vizcaino sat out of Friday's game because of a strained left hamstring. He hopes to return for Sunday's 5:05 p.m. contest against Houston. The Dominican was injured while running to first base after a bunt that loaded the bases for Mike Piazza's third-inning grand slam in a 7-2 victory over Arizona on Thursday.

Outfielders Roger Cedeno and Todd Hollandsworth have also had hamstring problems this spring.

Dodgers head trainer Charlie Strasser said Vizcaino, who took part in plyometrics exercises, electrical stimulation and ice treatment, made good progress Friday. Vizcaino also had hamstring tightness during spring training, but Strasser said he fully recovered from that injury.

``It is better that I take a day off now than three weeks later,'' said Vizcaino, who was batting only .200. ``It is frustrating. I thought I was going to play 162 games.''

Said manager Bill Russell, ``Injuries like that happen. You just hope it doesn't happen to your guys.''

At shortstop, Russell opted for Juan Castro, who had only two errors in 71 games last season, instead of Wilton Guerrero. Russell likes Castro's defense and wants Guerrero's bat off the bench.

``I'm looking to earn some confidence from Russell,'' Castro said.

Missing Anaheim: Jack Howell, who played nine seasons with the Angels, signed a two-year free-agent deal worth as much as $1.45 million with the Astros in December and is now closer to his wife and four kids, who live in Dallas.

But the 36-year-old wanted to finish his career in Anaheim after being the club's most productive pinch-hitter last season and averaging a home run every 13.6 at-bats. However, the Angels offered its 10th all-time leader in home runs (100) a one-year deal in the $400,000-range.

``I was disappointed after being there so long,'' said Howell, who believes he still would be an Angel if the Autrys hadn't sold the team. ``I was there for the last two years, and I thought I earned a spot after what I did off the bench for them. Money wasn't the issue, at least to me. It was more important to get a two-year deal so I can finish out my career there.''

DODGERS vs. HOUSTON

Game time: 7:05 p.m., at Dodger Stadium.

TV/Radio: FSW2; KXTA-AM (1150), KWKW-AM (1330 Spanish).

Matchup: In the second game of a four-game series, Dodgers right-hander Darren Dreifort (0-0, 0.00) will make his first start of the season and faces Houston left-hander Mike Hampton (1-0, 5.54). Dreifort hasn't started yet because of two off-days. He is the Dodgers' No. 5 starter. Dodgers manager Bill Russell said ``nobody is in better condition'' than Dreifort, who will return to the bullpen temporarily after the start because of two off-days in the next couple of weeks. Against Los Angeles last season, Hampton was 0-2 with an 8.71 ERA. Both appearances were at Dodger Stadium.

--- Marc J. Spears

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BOX: DODGERS vs. HOUSTON (see text)