DODGERS NOTEBOOK: BROWN DISABLED FOR THE THIRD TIME.

Byline: Matt McHale Staff Writer

Speaking for the first time since tearing the flexor tendon in his right elbow last Sunday in Pittsburgh, Kevin Brown said he was seriously injured as soon as he stumbled while making a pitch in the fourth inning against the Pirates.

Brown, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday for the third time this season, won't be back in two weeks, but he is hopeful he can return to help the Dodgers.

Team orthopedist Frank Jobe has sketched out a possible return date of one month, but Brown, who has done DL time for neck and Achilles injuries, usually follows his own schedule.

``Im sure he'd love me to have four weeks,'' Brown said of Jobe. ``We'll see how things are. We'll play it by ear.''

Brown, 37, pitched five impressive innings against the Pirates to raise his record to 8-4 with a 2.95. But it was during an Aramis Ramirez time at bat in the fourth that Brown caught a cleat on the mound and threw awkwardly to the plate.

``The way I felt in the last inning, I knew it wasn't looking good,'' Brown said. ``The question was just how bad was it. I know now I'm going to be watching a lot of games from the trainer's room.''

To make room for Brown, Darren Dreifort (reconstructed surgery, right elbow) was moved to the 60-day DL. Dreifort is not expected to pitch again until the middle of the 2002 season at the earliest. Knuckleballer Dennis Springer took Brown's place on the active roster and pitches today against Milwaukee.

--Grissom to sit: Outfielder Marquis Grissom began serving his six-game suspension Wednesday for making contact with umpire Marvin Hudson during a July 4 game against San Francisco at Dodger Stadium. Although he was certain to face left-handers Brian Bohanon and Denny Neagle this weekend in Colorado, Grissom, who also was fined $3,000, would not have played in the Milwaukee series, which concludes here this afternoon. Tom Goodwin played center Wednesday and batted first.

--Why Springer starts today: Flying back from Pittsburgh on Tuesday, Tracy was given a performance sheet on knuckleballers at Coors Field. When he learned the results were awful, he shifted newcomer Dennis Springer from Friday's game against the Colorado Rockies to this afternoon's matchup with Milwaukee at Dodger Stadium.

Springer, whose contract was purchased from Triple-A Las Vegas, will be flopped with rookie right hander Luke Prokopec. Paul Lo Duca, benched Wednesday because Chad Kreuter is Chan Ho Park's preference behind the plate, will catch Springer today.

--Stretching out: First baseman Eric Karros, sidelined for 21 games earlier this season with a sore lower back, made a dazzling defensive play in the eighth inning Tuesday, diving to rob the Pirates Rob Mackowiak of extra bases.

Karros, who bristles at the suggestion he is a defensive liability, said if he is out there, the back is not a problem.

``I don't know if I make that play next week or next month, but as long as I'm in there, the back is OK,'' Karros said.

--Quick hits: Third baseman Adrian Beltre, who went 0 for 4 Wednesday, entered the game batting .324 (22 for 68) with four homers and 17 RBI in his last 18 games. Beltre homered in the final two games against Pittsburgh. ... Jeff Shaw was available Wednesday night after being given Tuesday off in Pittsburgh. He pitched in the Dodgers' three previous games. Matt Herges pitched the ninth Tuesday to save Terry Adams 4-1 victory.

DODGERS vs. MILWAUKEE

Time: 1:10 p.m., Dodger Stadium.

TV/Radio: Fox Sports Net 2; 1150-AM, 1330-AM.

Matchup: The brief homestand ends today when knuckleballer Dennis Springer (0-0, 0.00) makes his first start of the year when he faces right-hander Jamey Wright (8-5, 3.06). Springer's contract was purchased Wednesday after going 4-5 with a 4.23 ERA at Triple-A Las Vegas. Springer, 36, pitched 1 1/2 seasons for the Angels (1996-97), compiling a 14-15 record. Wright was the Brewers' opening day starter, pitching seven innings against the Dodgers in a 1-0 loss. Gary Sheffield, who left Wednesday's game in the first inning after getting struck by a pitch on the left kneecap, is 8 for 17 lifetime vs. Wright with three homers.

- Matt McHale

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DODGERS vs. MILWAUKEE (see text)