DODGERS NOTEBOOK: BRADLEY HAS TORN LIGAMENT.

Byline: Tony Jackson Staff Writer

The MRI on the right ring finger of Dodgers center fielder Milton Bradley revealed a slight tear of the ligament that holds the flexor tendon in place. A brace was placed on the finger, and Bradley will be out at least until Friday.

``Beyond that, we'll find out if he can swing a bat,'' Dodgers manager Jim Tracy said. ``If not, obviously, we would have to take a look at something else.''

That would mean the disabled list for Bradley, which would mark another key setback for a club that already has had 11 players spend time on the shelf this season.

Bradley left Sunday's game at Arizona after popping up in the top of the ninth inning, grimacing and grabbing his right hand with his left. Bradley said after that game that the finger had been sore for a few days, something he blamed on getting jammed by several pitches.

The Dodgers have carried 12 pitchers since Opening Day, meaning they have dealt with a season-long shortage of position players. Bradley's absence leaves them with one fewer, but Tracy said no thought had been given to putting him on the disabled list to make room for another player because that would have eliminated any chance of Bradley returning before June 14.

--Pitching plans: Although he has allowed 11 runs and five homers in eight innings over two starts, left-hander Wilson Alvarez will get one more start Saturday night against Milwaukee. Lefty Odalis Perez still isn't close to returning from the disabled list, and although Tracy had alternatives in rookie D.J. Houlton and veteran Scott Erickson, he went with Alvarez knowing that a fifth starter won't be needed again until June 18.

Meanwhile, rookie Derek Thompson will get a second start Thursday night against the Brewers.

--Big day: After 11 minor-league seasons with six organizations, Mike Rose, 28, finally made his first major-league start Tuesday night against Chicago. Rose's contract was purchased from Triple-A Las Vegas after Monday's loss to the Cubs.