DODGERS NOTEBOOK: WERTH HEALING WITHOUT SURGERY.

Byline: Tony Jackson Staff Writer

Dodgers left fielder Jayson Werth probably won't need a surgical procedure on his injured right elbow, an operation that would sideline him all of next season. General manager Paul DePodesta said Wednesday that Werth's effort to rehabilitate the elbow without surgery seems to be going well.

``Our odds of not having surgery are certainly better than 50-50,'' DePodesta said. ``Right now, everybody involved feels he has a very good chance to just rehab this injury. It's (only) a partial tear to the ligament. He actually feels fine right now.

``He's pretty adamant he won't need surgery on this unless something goes wrong.''

An MRI done shortly after the Dodgers were eliminated from the playoffs showed the partial tear in Werth's ulnar collateral ligament. The rehab process should take four to six weeks.

Barring a major acquisition over the winter, Werth - who hit 16 homers despite spending two-thirds of the season as a part-time player - tentatively is slated as the club's everyday left fielder for 2005.

``I think he deserves that opportunity,'' DePodesta said.

--Nothing new: If any progress has been made in negotiations on a new contract for manager Jim Tracy, DePodesta wasn't saying so.

``There is no significant update,'' DePodesta said. ``We're talking. I have stated my goal in terms of the timing of it, but I don't think I feel all that comfortable giving a blow-by-blow of the negotiation process. Hopefully, we'll get something done in the next couple of weeks.''

--Other injuries: DePodesta said reliever Darren Dreifort underwent knee surgery earlier this week, as scheduled. Dreifort won't be ready by opening day, and DePodesta said it isn't a given that Dreifort will be ready anytime during the season. Third baseman Adrian Beltre has yet to undergo surgery to remove a spur from his left ankle.

--New position: DePodesta said he has secured permission to speak to one candidate, whom he declined to identify, for an additional vice president position he plans to create in the front office.

He still is seeking permission to speak to other candidates for the job. DePodesta said the position will involve more centralized oversight of the scouting and player-development departments from the home office at Dodger Stadium.

Tony Jackson,[phone]

tony.jackson(at)dailynews.com