DODGERSS NOTEBOOK: PEREZ BACK IN ROTATION.

Byline: VINCENT BONSIGNORE Staff Writer

The Dodgers are shuffling the deck again with the fifth starter's role in the pitching rotation. For now, Odalis Perez is back in and Jae Seo is out.

The two pitchers are essentially flip-flopping roles, with the hope being one will eventually be properly inspired to take control of the job.

Perez, banished to the bullpen in early May, will pick up Seo's Wednesday start against the Mets. Seo, who has struggled with location his past two starts, will now pitch out of the bullpen.

Dodgers' manager Grady Little said he made the decision Friday night while watching Seo struggle over four innings against the Phillies, the second straight game Seo couldn't make it to the fifth inning. His previous start -- last Saturday against Washington -- lasted just 22/3 innings.

Seo was expected to eat up innings in the back end of the rotation after being acquired for Duaner Sanchez in a trade with the Mets in the offseason. Instead, he's averaged only five innings through 10 starts and opponents are hitting .290 agai nst him with a .529 slugging percentage.

Overall, he's 2-3 with a 5.47 ERA, and has exasperated the Dodgers with his lack of command.

``I've been given opportunities to get the job done and I haven't,'' Seo said through an interpreter.

Perez struggled with a 3-1 record and a 6.90 ERA through his first six starts this year, and ultimately got yanked from the rotation shortly after leaving the team to be with his ill mother in the Dominican Republic in early May

Although deeply disappointed about the demotion, Perez never publicly complained. He's posted a 3.12 ERA over 92/3 innings out of the bullpen and his recent work earned him another shot as a starter.

``I've always focused on being a starting pitcher,'' Perez said. ``Ever since I've been getting the ball every five days, for me (the focus) is being s a starter. Nobody has to be looking at me over their shoulder and I don't have to be looking over mine.''

--Navarro hopeful: Injured catcher Dioner Navarro took some soft swings in the batting cage and hopes to begin a rehabilitation stint in the next week. Navarro is recovering from a right wrist contusion, and said he feels fine swinging right-handed but still has some discomfort swinging left- handed.

--HAMULACK SENT DOWN: The Dodgers will option relief pitcher Tim Hamulack to Triple-A Las Vegas today and recall pitcher Hong-Chih Kuo.