The Associated Press

LOS ANGELES - Rickey Henderson had a great time playing in the minor leagues with kids less than half his age. Now, it's back to the big time.

"I always felt this day would come," the 44-year-old outfielder said Tuesday. "I'm happy that the Dodgers gave me this opportunity to continue playing baseball.

"We haven't discussed what my role's going to be. Whatever role they want me to play, I'm willing to play to help this team win."

The offensively challenged Dodgers, in contention at the All-Star break only because they have the best pitching staff in the majors, signed Henderson on Monday following an outstanding 56-game stint with the Newark Bears of the independent Atlantic League.

The Dodgers also acquired slugging outfielder Jeromy Burnitz from the New York Mets for three minor-leaguers Monday.

Burnitz probably will replace the injured Brian Jordan in left field. For Henderson, a utility role is more likely.

Henderson expressed surprise it took so long for him to reach the majors again. He signed with Newark when there were no big-league takers during the offseason.

Henderson hit .339 with eight homers, 33 RBI, 52 runs and nine stolen bases for the Bears. The 10-time major-league All-Star recently was named MVP of the Atlantic League All-Star game.

"I got the opportunity to play independent ball, stay in shape, keep playing baseball," he said. "The desire was there to keep playing baseball. With Newark, I had a great experience, to tell you the truth. I had a lot of fun playing with the kids."

Henderson has the most runs (2,288), stolen bases (1,403) and walks (2,179) in baseball history. His 3,040 hits are the most of any active player.

A likely Hall of Famer, Henderson will appear in his 25th major-league season, for his ninth team, starting Thursday when the Dodgers return from the break against the St. Louis Cardinals.

EXPOS: The team could play its entire home schedule in Puerto Rico next season under a plan being considered by Major League Baseball.

To raise revenue for the team, the commissioner's office moved 22 of Montreal's 81 home games this season to Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan. Baseball still hasn't come up with a permanent solution for the struggling Expos, who were bought by the other 29 teams before the 2002 season.

"Puerto Rico has made a proposal to play all 81 home games in Puerto Rico, and it has not been rejected," Bob DuPuy, baseball's chief operating officer, said.

Northern Virginia; Portland, Ore.; and Washington, D.C., are trying to land the Expos permanently. DuPuy said no plan was a front-runner at this point, either for a long-term solution or for 2004.

"They could play 81 games in any one of a number of locations," he said of the Expos.

YANKEES: First baseman Nick Johnson took batting practice for the first time since being sidelined by a stress fracture in his right hand two months ago. He said he hopes to begin playing minor-league games Friday and rejoin the Yankees before the end of the month.