DODGERS NOTEBOOK: BROWN LIKELY OUT FOR A WEEK.

Byline: Heather Gripp Staff Writer

The MRI on Kevin Brown's injured Achilles tendon on Friday indicated the pitcher is rapidly improving, but he likely will not be able to play until mid-April.

``We compared it to the one we did last week in Vero Beach,'' Dr. Frank Jobe said of the MRI. ``He showed remarkable healing, but it's not quite well, which we expected. My best judgment is it'll take 10-14 days.''

Brown could be placed on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 24.

``Our plan is to keep him in good shape and let him keep pitching from a mound even now,''said Jobe, who is concerned Brown could aggravate the injury by fielding at this point.

--Roster move: Left-handed reliever Jesse Orosco was granted free agency after refusing a minor-league assignment. The move makes room for Gregg Olson in the final bullpen spot. Orosco, 43, was 0-3 with a 6.35 ERA in 5 2/3 innings this spring.

--Hot corner: Dave Hansen played catch in the outfield and Adrian Beltre showed up briefly on the field. Their appearance at Dodger Stadium Friday reassured Dodgers manager Jim Tracy that the team is getting closer to increasing its depth at third base.

Until that time, the Dodgers are expressing confidence in the player making the most of an unexpected opportunity to be an opening-day starter only a season after he felt fortunate just to get free sunflower seeds and a good seat for big-league games. However, since officially being named the opening day starter, Chris Donnels hasn't had much time to sit around and chew sunflower seeds.

``It's a lot different than last year,'' said Donnels before Friday's exhibition game against the Colorado Rockies.

A 34-year-old product of Loyola Marymount, Donnels entered Friday's game batting .327 with a team-high 16 RBI this spring. Defensively, he had yet to make an error. This from a player who spent much of last season at the Triple-A level and spent the previous four years playing in Japan.

``We're very aware of a loss of Adrian Beltre and we're not sitting here asking Chris Donnels to play third base like Adrian Beltre,'' said Tracy. ``That won't happen. But what Chris Donnels will do is make the routine plays for us and we're able to utilize his bat against right-handed pitchers. He's very well aware of that.''

Hansen, out with an injured hand, could be back within a few weeks, but Beltre, recovering from intestinal surgery, is not expected back before May.

--Addition to the DL: Even those in the Dodgers organization who are not players are not immune to being sidelined. Senior scouting advisor Don Welke had quadruple bypass surgery Friday at Centinela Hospital after a routine physical recently revealed the heart trouble.

DODGERS vs. COLORADO

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

Radio: 1150 AM.

Matchup:Right-handers Andy Ashby, Mike Fetters and Jeff Shaw and left-hander Jesse Orosco are scheduled to pitch for the Dodgers in the final exhibition before Monday's season opener. Orosco is battling Greg Olson for the final spot in the bullpen. Left-hander Brian Bohanon is scheduled to start for the Rockies.

- Heather Gripp

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DODGERS vs. COLORADO (see text)