DODGERS NOTEBOOK; HOLLANDSWORTH IS DEMOTED, REPLACED BY GARCIA.

Byline: Kevin Acee Daily News Staff Writers

Todd Hollandsworth was almost to the parking lot when the clubhouse attendant reached him and told him he needed to return and report to manager Bill Russell's office.

Not 10 minutes later, the 1996 National League Rookie of the Year was packing.

In an effort to get more power from the left side, see what Karim Garcia can do and help Hollandsworth find whatever it is that has failed him, the Dodgers optioned Hollandsworth and recalled Garcia after Thursday's 5-4 loss to the Oakland A's.

Garcia, who was leading the Pacific Coast League with 18 home runs, will start tonight in left field.

``We need to get as much punch as we can get from the left-handed side,'' Dodgers executive vice president Fred Claire said. ``And quite frankly, Todd has now had about 200 at-bats this season, and we just feel we need to get him into a position where we can get his stroke back.''

Hollandsworth left the clubhouse quickly and did not speak with reporters. Hollandsworth's season was interrupted when he hurt his knee in a May 19 collision with Eric Anthony. He was held out of the lineup a few games even after he was healthy enough to return, as Russell stayed with the platoon of Billy Ashley and Anthony in left.

Hollandsworth, hitting .232 with just two home runs and 18 RBI, was hitting .225 since returning.

``We need more than that,'' Russell said of the homer and RBI production.

They hope to get it from the 21-year-old Garcia. He was leading the Pacific Coast League with 18 homers. He had 56 RBI and was batting .298. He also had 67 strikeouts in 63 games.

``We feel Karim deserves the opportunity,'' Claire said.

As reporters were kept out of the locker room for 25 minutes after the game, it was speculated Claire had made a bombshell trade. No, he had just demoted the reigning Rookie of the Year.

``I know he can make his way back to this club,'' Claire said. ``He's extremely important to this organization. . . . The only thing that works against him is his own competitiveness. That's the only thing Todd has to overcome. He has to find his stroke, relax a little bit.''

Said Russell: ``We're not singling anyone out. Hopefully, he won't be down there very long.''

Why him? Darren Hall acts incredulous. Why would anyone assume he is the one who might be sent down when Darren Dreifort completes his rehab assignment?

But Hall knows the facts.

Former starter Tom Candiotti and closer Todd Worrell are not going to the minors. Neither are left-handers Mark Guthrie or Scott Radinsky.

That leaves a choice for Dodgers executive vice president Fred Claire between Hall and Antonio Osuna. Dreifort, who was placed on the disabled list retroactive to May 12 with tendinitis in his right (throwing) elbow, will make his second rehab start Sunday for Triple-A Albuquerque. Then, Claire needs to make what he termed a ``tough decision.''

It might not be fair, but it's going to happen.

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