DODGERS NOTEBOOK: WOLF WANTS TO STAY.

Byline: RICH HAMMOND 

Staff Writer

Randy Wolf's season is over, but he doesn't want his Dodgers career to be finished.

Wolf, who had arthroscopic shoulder surgery last week, is expected to be healthy for the start of spring training. He will be a free agent this winter after the Dodgers decline his $9-million option for 2008, but Wolf, a product of El Camino Real High of Woodland Hills, said he would like another chance to pitch in Los Angeles.

"I wouldn't pick up my option for next year, either," said Wolf, who made his 18th, and final, start July 3. "I understand that. It's part of the business. I want to move on and prove that I can pitch the whole year and contribute. I think I showed a lot by turning down three-year deals to come here."

Last winter, Wolf signed a one-year contract, with an option that would have become vested if Wolf pitched 180 innings. He made it to 1022/3 innings and finished with a 9-6 record and a 4.73ERA.

Shoulder soreness forced Wolf out of the Dodgers' rotation in early July. When rest and various treatments failed, frustration mounted and doctors finally recommended arthroscopic surgery.

The surgery revealed only minor fraying, rather than the series rotator- cuff issues that Wolf feared.

"They found what the problem was. That's good, because I thought I was going insane," Wolf said.

Wolf said he will begin light throwing in early November and added that he is already feeling relief from the surgery, even in mundane activities such as swinging his arms while he walks.

"I don't even feel like I had surgery," said Wolf, who raised his left arm to show reporters his improved range of motion. "I was prepared to wake up and hear I had a detached labrum. ... This is great for me."

Taking responsibility: The eighth inning of the Dodgers' loss to San Francisco on Sunday remained a topic of conversation 48 hours later. Brad Penny started the inning with the Dodgers leading 2-1, but left after Kevin Frandsen's leadoff double, even though Penny had thrown only 82pitches.

The Dodgers eventually lost when Jonathan Broxton, whom manager Grady Little had sought to rest, allowed a three-run home run to Ray Durham. Penny, who didn't speak after Sunday's game, told reporters he had no problem with Little's decision to remove him from the game, and Little defended the choice.

"I saw a pitcher who had taken us as deep into a game as he possibly could," Little said. "I'm the one responsible. I'm the one that is responsible for making the lineup out and the decisions made in the game. I take responsibility for that."

Little said he had no concerns with Broxton, who entered Tuesday having allowed three runs -- all on home runs -- over 21/3innings in his past four appearances.

"The stuff still looked good to me on Sunday," Little said. "He mislocated a pitch. He made about 14 good pitches in that game and one extremely bad one."

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