AROUND THE MAJORS

Dodger third baseman Adrian Beltre must decide by Dec. 5 whether to file for arbitration or receive $2.8 million under the final season of a three-year contract.

Beltre, who had a salary of $1.25 million in 2001, batted .265 with 13 home runs and 60 runs batted in. He played in only 126 games after undergoing abdominal surgery twice in two months.

The Dodgers are considering using Beltre in the leadoff spot next season.