DODGERS NOTEBOOK: WHITE COULD BE NEXT TO GO VETERAN JUST AN EXPENSIVE RESERVE FOR NOW.

Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer

PITTSBURGH - Devon White rehabbed his injured left shoulder for more than two months to get back his starting center-field spot, and now he's likely a fourth outfielder after the Dodgers acquired center fielder and leadoff hitter Tom Goodwin from the Colorado Rockies on Monday.

And with another year left on his contract, and guaranteed at $5 million, White's long-term future with the Dodgers is murky. A team source said the Dodgers will try to trade White during the offseason.

There is also a chance the Dodgers could trade the 37-year-old switch-hitter before the end of the season if he clears waivers, which a baseball official said could happen given White's salary.

Goodwin, 32, is signed through 2002 with a club option for 2003. He was obtained for outfielder Todd Hollandsworth and two minor-leaguers - outfielder Kevin Gibbs and left-handed pitcher Randey Dorame.

``It affects me as a leadoff hitter and a center fielder, but if it's a good situation for the team that Goodwin does come here and gets the team over the hump, then it's a great trade,'' White said. ``But the bottom line is I can't worry about anything else but to see what becomes of this. Bottom line, I could have been in a deal. I'm not a fool. I'm sure there were rumors about me.

``If Goodwin's going to come here and do the job that they've been asking for all year, a leadoff guy that gets on base and all of that stuff, then great. I'll be along for the ride, providing I'm still here. I don't know what's going to happen.''

The Dodgers tried dealing White at the trading deadline last season, but he was in the first year of a three-year, $12.6 million contract and there weren't any takers.

During spring training the club tried to light a fire under White by saying the center-field competition was wide open. White responded with a strong spring, easily staving off Todd Hollandsworth's attempt to win the starting job.

``I don't know what management has in store,'' White said. ``The bottom line is my ego is not that big to tell you I can't be a fourth or fifth outfielder, but it would be respectable if it's brought to my attention and told me what my job is going to be.''

White injured his shoulder diving for a ball May 2 against Atlanta, partially tearing his left rotator cuff. Surgery wasn't needed, and White returned to the lineup last Monday in Colorado. He's batting .283 with three homers and 10 RBI, but he's 2 for 7 in stolen base attempts and has a .327 on-base percentage.

Dodgers manager Davey Johnson hasn't stated Goodwin is the every-day center fielder, but Goodwin is expected to get the bulk of the playing time. However, Johnson did say there would be instances when he starts both outfielders and gives either left fielder Gary Sheffield or right fielder Shawn Green a day off.

``It seems like in the last three or four years I haven't won a Gold Glove, but I feel that I'm still a very good outfielder,'' said White, who's won seven Gold Gloves. ``You might ask some of my peers around the league who are the very good outfielders, and my name will still be in there. . . . I wouldn't object to playing any other positions, but I haven't been told anything.''

--Odds and ends: William P. Schweppe, who worked for the Dodgers for 41 year and was the club's vice president, minor-league operations from 1968-87, died at Anaheim Memorial Hospital on Monday. He was 86. Schweppe began working for the Dodgers in 1946 as the business manager of the Newport News, Va., minor-league affiliate. In 1958, he moved to Los Angeles as the secretary of minor-league operations. . . . Goodwin will wear No. 28 with the Dodgers, the number Hollandsworth wore. Goodwin wore No. 24 in Colorado, but that number is retired by the Dodgers in honor of Hall of Fame manager Walter Alston. . . . With the scheduled doubleheader today, Johnson will rest some of his regulars. ``It won't be Sheffield,'' Johnson said. ``If he can go, he's going to post.''

DODGERS vs. PITTSBURGH

Time: 2:05 p.m., at Three Rivers Stadium.

TV/Radio: Fox Sports Net 2; 1150-AM, 610-AM, 1330-AM (Spanish).

Matchup: Rain on Monday set up today's doubleheader as lefty Carlos Perez (4-5, 5.48 ERA) and right-hander Ismael Valdes (2-4, 5.37) go for the Dodgers against Pittsburgh lefty Jimmy Anderson (3-5, 4.64) and right-hander Bronson Arroyo (2-3, 6.38). Perez was pummeled at Coors Field in his last outing and last won May 20. Valdes, acquired from the Cubs last week, faced two batters before rain canceled the game. Anderson (3-5, 4.64) is 1-0 with a 1.19 ERA in three starts since being recalled from the minors. He allowed one unearned run in 6 2/3 innings of a no-decision July 16 in Los Angeles.

- Brian Dohn

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CAPTION(S):

2 photos, 2 box

Photo: (1) SNIDER

(2) SHEFFIELD

Box: (1) Chasing Duke

(2) Dodgers vs. Pittsburgh (see text)