DODGERS NOTEBOOK: BROWN'S RETURN COULD BE SOONER.Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer CINCINNATI - Right-hander Kevin Brown The name Kevin Brown can refer to several different people, including the following:
Dodgers general manager Dan Evans said Brown would make at least one more rehab start after that. It could put Brown back on the mound for the Dodgers as early as Aug. 13 in Montreal, but the organization remains guarded about putting a time frame on his return date. Neither Evans nor manager Jim Tracy
``We have to feel comfortable with the fact he can pitch us far enough into the game where it would afford me the opportunity to use this bullpen that we have the way I would like to use it,'' Tracy said. ``Could I utilize Kevin Brown for six innings and then go to the bullpen? The answer is yes. I'd say the neighborhood of 90 (pitches) is a safe number.'' Though Brown is slated to throw approximately 50 pitches against Memphis in Las Vegas, he traditionally pushes himself and could throw significantly more. Brown will be accompanied to his start by physical therapist Pat Screnar. Either Evans or senior vice president Dave Wallace are expected to go to Brown's second start (site to be determined) and make an evaluation of his outing. ``He is working day and night on all the things that are necessary to prepare him to come back,'' Tracy said. ``We are extremely pleased. He's making great strides. I think he's been very cooperative with the rehab procedure.'' Brown, who is 2-3 with a 4.06 ERA in nine games, hasn't pitched since he experienced elbow pain May 26 against Arizona. He underwent back surgery June 11 to repair a herniated disc Noun 1. herniated disc - a painful rupture of the fibrocartilage of the disc between spinal vertebrae; occurs most often in the lumbar region ruptured intervertebral disc, slipped disc rupture - state of being torn or burst open . The Dodgers had internal discussions and targeted a Sept. 1 return date for Brown, but his rehab progressed quickly. At the time of Brown's back surgery, surgeon Dr. Robert Watkins said the right-hander had to complete a five-step trunk-stabilization program before he could begin throwing. His throwing program began while he was on step four in several of the categories. The Dodgers also said Brown would pitch bullpen sessions and then throw simulated games before going on a rehab assignment. He threw his fifth bullpen session Tuesday, a 90-pitch session that included three 30-pitch segments, but now won't throw any simulated games. He did fielding drills and took batting practice. He will throw a light bullpen session Thursday. --Dreifort's season over? Dodgers right-hander Darren Dreifort's return might not happen until 2003. He underwent exploratory arthroscopic surgery Arthroscopic Surgery Definition Arthroscopic surgery is a procedure to visualize, diagnose, and treat joint problems. The name is derived from the Greek words arthron, which means joint, and skopein, which means to look at. Tuesday on his ailing right knee and had small pieces of floating cartilage floating cartilage n. A loose piece of cartilage within a joint cavity that is detached from the articular cartilage or from a meniscus. removed. The procedure was done at the Kerlan-Jobe Clinic by team physicians Dr.Frank Jobe and Dr. Ralph Gambardella after a second MRI 1. (application) MRI - Magnetic Resonance Imaging. 2. MRI - Measurement Requirements and Interface. Monday was inconclusive. Dreifort, who is rehabbing from his second ``Tommy John'' elbow surgery, could begin throwing in the next week to 10 days. His return this season has not been ruled out, but it is unlikely. The club doesn't want Dreifort to alter his mechanics because of pain in his right knee. He had to stop his last two throwing sessions because of the pain and received a cortisone cortisone (kôr`tĭsōn'), steroid hormone whose main physiological effect is on carbohydrate metabolism. It is synthesized from cholesterol in the outer layer, or cortex, of the adrenal gland under the stimulation of adrenocorticotropic shot a week ago, but it didn't help. ``Let's put it this way: I remain optimistic, but I'm not overly optimistic about it,'' Tracy said of Dreifort's return this season. ``I can't see where there's enough time left on the calendar. I've said for weeks we would not push Darren Dreifort --Dealing with the deadline: Having acquired utility player Tyler Houston Tyler Sam Houston (born January 17, 1971 in Long Beach, California), is a former professional baseball player who played third base and catcher in the Major Leagues from 1996-2003. Hitting Stats
abbr. Pacific Daylight Time PDT Pacific Daylight Time PDT n abbr (US) (= Pacific Daylight Time) → hora de verano del Pacífico PDT trade deadline. The Dodgers would like to add a lefty to the bullpen, but Pittsburgh's Scott Sauerbeck was taken off the trade market over the weekend. Also, Evans continues to look for a bench player but has yet to find one better than Mike Kinkade. DODGERS vs. CINCINNATI Time: 4:10 p.m., Cinergy Field. TV/Radio: Fox Sports Net 2; 1150-AM, 1330-AM (Spanish). Matchup: Dodgers RH Hideo Nomo (10-6, 3.33 ERA) lost his only game against the Reds this season, but he's pitched well this month. He is 2-1 with a 2.81 ERA in six July starts. The Reds counter with RH Brian Moehler (1-0, 7.20). He was hammered in his first start after the Reds acquired him from Detroit, where he was 1-1 with a 2.29 ERA. He had arthroscopic surgery on his shoulder to repair a torn labrum labrum /la·brum/ (la´brum) pl. la´bra [L.] an edge, rim, or lip. la·brum n. pl. la·bra A lip-shaped anatomical edge, rim, or structure. labrum pl. and rotator cuff rotator cuff n. A set of muscles and tendons that secures the arm to the shoulder joint and permits rotation of the arm. Also called musculotendinous cuff. and made just one start in 2001. His first start this season was July 2. It will be Moehler's first outing against the Dodgers. - Brian Dohn CAPTION(S): box Box: DODGERS vs. CINCINNATI (see text) |
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