DODGERS NOTEBOOK: BROWN FINALLY ENDS SILENCE.

Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer

DENVER - Dodgers manager Jim Tracy firmly stated his plan to employ a four-man starting rotation and, even with a torn flexor muscle in his right elbow, staff ace Kevin Brown said he would have no problem with it.

Speaking publicly for the first time since returning from a six-week stint on the disabled list, Brown said Tuesday he'll pitch through the pain and finish the season.

``The only thing that matters right now is going out there and giving the team a chance to win every time out,'' Brown said. ``It doesn't matter how you feel. It doesn't matter. In itself, (pain) is not the deciding factor. Pain can be managed. It's just a matter of whether or not the stuff is there. That's the only question. If it's not, then find a way to win anyhow. If you don't have your 'A' game, still find a way to win.''

Brown battled through 94 pitches in five innings Sunday against St. Louis for his first win since July 15, when he tore his flexor muscle against Pittsburgh. In two starts since returning, Brown is 1-0 with a 2.70. His velocity has dipped near the end of each start, but the Dodgers aren't concerned.

``It's a possibility that he's still throwing in a way that he's subconsciously protecting his elbow,'' pitching coach Jim Colborn said. ``That's probably the simplest answer.''

The Dodgers rotation will be James Baldwin, Chan Ho Park, Terry Adams and Brown. Because of off days, Brown isn't scheduled to throw on three-days rest until Sept 16. Tracy also left open to possibility of a spot start (by Dennis Springer, Luke Prokopec, Eric Gagne or Terry Mulholland) if the complexion of the playoff race changes before a three-game series Aug. 17-19 against San Diego.

But one thing that can aid Brown is his light workload. Three stints on the disabled list limited him to 16 starts and 98 1/3 innings.

``Less innings, in itself, is good,'' said Brown, who is 9-4 with a 2.93 ERA. ``Just the fact, physically where I'm at, the innings are not an issue. I'd rather have 200 innings at this particular time because of pitching all year, but that's not the case.

``I've done it (pitched on three-days rest) in the past. I'm not worried about that. I'll just adjust my workout. Nothing at this point in time matters other than just going out and the team winning. Anything else is fluff and a waste of breath.''

Of course, Brown has reason to be concerned. Offseason surgery to repair the tear is possible.

``I'm not going to talk any more about the elbow. Period,'' Brown said. ``Unless I have to have surgery, I'm not interested in discussions about the elbow any more.''

--Contemplating Karros: No opposing player has more homers at Coors Field than Dodgers first baseman Eric Karros (18). And with Karros swinging the bat well lately - he's 9 for 21 during a six-game hitting streak - and catcher Paul Lo Duca having played 19 consecutive games, Tracy is thinking about starting Karros tonight at first even with Chan Ho Park pitching.

``I'm going to sleep on that one,'' Tracy said.

During Park's last three starts, a slumping Karros sat while Lo Duca played first and went 4 for 11.

--Odds and ends: Reliever Mike Trombley (right groin) played catch but was unavailable Tuesday. ... Infielder Tim Bogar won't rejoin the Dodgers anytime soon. He was supposed to be activated for the Colorado series, but he was experiencing soreness in his foot and returned to Los Angeles. ... Pitchers Jeff Williams and Prokopec and catcher Brian Johnson were recalled and pitcher Al Reyes had his contract purchased from Triple-A Las Vegas.

DODGERS vs. COLORADO

Time: 6:05 p.m., Coors Field.

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

Matchup: Dodgers RH Chan Ho Park (13-9, 3.05 ERA) has been perfect against the Rockies, going 3-0 with a 2.66 ERA in three starts this season. Park beat the Rockies on Thursday in Los Angeles, though he allowed four runs on eight hits in 5 2/3 innings. Rockies RH John Thomson (2-5, 4.21) has pitched well since a two-month absence to rehabilitate his shoulder. He is 2-2 with a 3.49 ERA in his last six starts, but he's 1-2 with a 5.68 ERA in four home starts.

- Brian Dohn

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DODGERS vs. COLORADO (see text)