DODGERS NOTEBOOK: BROWN'S RETURN STILL IN QUESTION.Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer MONTREAL - Dodgers right-hander Kevin Brown The name Kevin Brown can refer to several different people, including the following:
Right-hander Hideo Nomo Hideo Nomo (born Aug. 31, 1968 , Osaka, Japan) Japanese baseball pitcher whose success with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1995 created new opportunities for Asian players in Major League Baseball. will pitch Friday against the Mets. Tracy didn't name a starter for Saturday or Sunday. Brown is an option, but the Dodgers are demanding he be near the top of his game before they activate him. During his rehab outing Friday for Triple-A Las Vegas Las Vegas (läs vā`gəs), city (1990 pop. 258,295), seat of Clark co., S Nev.; inc. 1911. It is the largest city in Nevada and the center of one of the fastest-growing urban areas in the United States. , Brown wasn't overly impressive. Tracy categorized Brown's bullpen session Sunday as ``OK, that's it,'' but Brown showed improvement in Tuesday's bullpen session. ``I can pitch, that's not the question,'' Brown said. ``The question is what best serves the team's interest. That's what we're dealing with.'' Brown, who hasn't pitched since May 26, said, ``I don't blame them for waiting.'' Before the game he threw a bullpen session in front of pitching coach Jim Colborn
However, the Dodgers appear to be hard-fisted with Brown this time. Brown is close to being ready, but June 11 back surgery and elbow surgery last September are pivotal in holding him back. ``I know what Kevin Brown looks like when it's very right,'' Tracy said. ``I'm not going to put, as the manager of this club, Kevin Brown back on that mound feeling like we are compromising a situation because we're sending a name and a reputation out there and not a name and a reputation with his good stuff. I won't do that.'' Tracy said endurance wasn't a concern, since Brown threw 86 pitches in his last rehab outing, but control and snap on his pitches were missing. His velocity was consistently 87 to 90 mph in his last rehab start, down from his usual 93 or 94. ``Obviously, (movement and velocity) is not where it has been,'' Brown said. ``It's getting better and the next question is, 'Does it get better once you walk on the mound?' That's the question That's the Question is an American quiz game show on GSN, hosted by game show veteran and former Entertainment Tonight reporter, Bob Goen, which premiered in October 2006. everybody is facing and trying to figure out what works best to help the team win.'' Whenever Brown returns, left-hander Omar Daal --Jordan update: Ailing Dodgers left fielder Brian Jordan v. pro·trud·ed, pro·trud·ing, pro·trudes v.tr. To push or thrust outward. v.intr. To jut out; project. See Synonyms at bulge. disc. Jordan, who missed the last four games, is slated to fly to Montreal today and should arrive close to game time. ``It appeared to help the pain,'' Dodgers general manager Dan Evans said. ``The way I got to understand it is the potential for him to play before the end of the week is there.'' It's unlikely Jordan will start any of the games on Olympic Stadium's ultra-hard turf, but the Dodgers are hopeful he will return to the lineup this weekend against the Mets. --Odds and ends: Catcher Paul Lo Duca Paul Anthony Lo Duca (born April 12, 1972 in Brooklyn, New York) is a catcher in Major League Baseball who plays for the New York Mets. Previously, Lo Duca played for the Los Angeles Dodgers (1998-2004) and Florida Marlins (2004-2005). , the Dodgers' player representative, met with teammates before the game to brief them on Monday's union meeting. A conference call is set for the player representatives Friday, when a strike date can be set. Second baseman Mark Grudzielanek tested his sore left knee before Tuesday's game and was able to start. ``It's still a little tender,'' Grudzielanek said. Pitcher Jesse Orosco's back was better and he was available. DODGERS vs. MONTREAL Time: 4:10 p.m., Olympic Stadium. TV/Radio: No TV; 1150-AM, 1330-AM (Spanish). Matchup: Dodgers LH Kazuhisa Ishii (12-7, 4.19 ERA) remains precariously planted in the starting rotation and he gets another chance to prove he should remain there, in the middle game of a series against the Expos. Ishii is 1-2 with a 6.06 ERA in his past six starts and is 0-1 with a 12.08 ERA and 13 walks and 15 hits allowed in his past three starts. Ishii leads the club in victories, but he is 2-6 since June 8. Ishii also leads the major leagues in walks (91). Montreal RH Bartolo Colon (5-1, 3.20) has pitched well since being acquired from Cleveland. He is 15-5 with a 2.77 ERA in 24 starts this season. He never has faced the Dodgers. - Brian Dohn CAPTION(S): box Box: DODGERS vs. MONTREAL (see text) |
|
||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion