DODGERS NOTEBOOK: BROWN DL STAY COULD LENGTHEN.

Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer

Dodgers staff ace Kevin Brown, who already has missed two starts and is on the disabled list, could be sidelined until after the All-Star break because of the inflamed nerve in his neck.

Brown underwent a CT myelogram, in which dye is injected into the spinal column to check for nerve damage, at USC Medical Center on Wednesday to determine if there was any further damage. Team physician Dr. Frank Jobe said the tests were negative, which ruled out the possibility of Brown undergoing neck surgery.

Jobe said the soreness had dissipated in Brown's neck, but the right-hander had lost strength in his right forearm and still is experiencing a tingling sensation in his fingers, though he is rehabbing his arm to keep as much strength as possible.

Brown, 36, was examined by Jobe and spinal specialist Dr. Robert Watkins. Jobe was asked about Brown's timetable for a return.

``That's the hardest question you could ask,'' Jobe said. ``I'm getting consultation with spine specialists on this. Today, I had consultation with Dr. Watkins and he doesn't know how long it's going to take, and neither do I. But it's a matter of weeks.''

Needing to rest from the procedure, which manager Jim Tracy said could cause severe headaches if the patient is sitting upright, Brown wasn't at the ballpark and was unavailable for comment.

``We did the MRI (first), which didn't show us anything, so we had to wait,'' Jobe said. ``When he didn't get any better, the next step is this procedure. It's to see if there was any hang-up on any end of the nerves or the sleeve (nerve canal) covering that is connected to the spinal cord. That means you're not going to need surgery on your neck. There's no pressure on any of the nerves in the neck, but he still has the symptoms (in his forearm), which is what made us do the test today.''

It's the third consecutive day the Dodgers have dealt with injury news. In the last three days, pitcher Andy Ashby was lost for the season, second baseman Mark Grudzielanek was placed on the 15-day disabled list and Brown's prognosis was made less optimistic for the short term.

Brown, who has missed two starts, hasn't pitched since allowing six runs in six-plus innings to Colorado on May 29. He's eligible to come off the disabled list today, but he's a long way from that. The likelihood of Brown not being available for another four weeks, coupled with Ashby's injury, means the Dodgers rotation is Chan Ho Park, Terry Adams, Luke Prokopec, Darren Dreifort and Giovanni Carrara.

``We can't do anything from a baseball-activity standpoint until we relieve (Brown) of the symptoms,'' Tracy said.

--Karros' return official: Tracy made it official, saying first baseman Eric Karros would return to the lineup Friday in Anaheim, though it won't be as a designated hitter. Tracy wants Karros to play first base to keep his back from tightening on the bench.

Karros last played at Colorado on May 21, when he took himself out of the game. It was later learned he had a partially torn ligament in his lower back. He batted .232 with five homers and 24 RBI in 41 games.

``I would have liked to been playing for the last four weeks,'' Karros said. ``I'm feeling healthy enough to get out there. I just have to do my rehab work and let everything fall into place. (The back) is better than last week and hopefully it will continue to progress.''

The Dodgers are weighing several options to create space on the roster. They'll either place infielder Tim Bogar on the disabled list or send Jeff Branson to Triple-A Las Vegas.

--Lasorda named honorary coach: Dodgers senior vice president Tommy Lasorda was named an honorary coach of the National League team for the July 10 All-Star Game in Seattle. He'll sit on the bench with Mets manager Bobby Valentine, a close friend.

``So many good things have happened to me,'' said Lasorda, who went 3-1 as a manager in All-Star Games. ``But, my golly, to have something like this happen to you is just very, very special to me. It just goes to show you that how much he remembers what I did for him over the years.''

--Done deal: The Dodgers agreed to terms with their first selection of last week's draft, pitcher Brian Pilkington of Santiago High in Orange County. He was drafted in the second round with the 68th overall pick.

The 18-year-old went 10-2 with a 0.90 ERA in 12 games for Santiago. He will report to Great Falls (Mont.) of the rookie Pioneer League.