DODGERS NOTEBOOK: BROWN TO SKIP START, DL DECISION AWAITS.

Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer

HOUSTON - Kevin Brown returned to Los Angeles on Sunday to get his ailing neck examined by a specialist and won't make his scheduled start Tuesday in Arizona.

The right-hander attempted to throw a bullpen session but got no further than playing catch before shutting it down and heading for the clubhouse. An MRI Saturday revealed inflammation in a nerve root, something Brown said he awoke with prior to his start last Tuesday.

Brown will be examined by Dr. Luga Podesta and Dr. Frank Jobe at the Kerlan-Jobe Clinic. A decision on whether to place Brown on the 15-day disabled list likely won't be made for a few days. In his place, right-hander Terry Adams is scheduled to make his first major-league start after 362 relief appearances.

``He's going to have further testing done for the nerve in his neck area,'' Tracy said. ``I don't now any more specifics other than that, but that's what is going to take place.''

That Brown is missing a start suggests the severity of the injury. When he strained his Achilles tendon in spring training, he wanted to pitch despite not being able to run. He's also battled through a lower-back strain and has pitched with a strained right rib cage muscle that bothered him so much he went for a CT scan.

Brown admitted he was bothered by the inflammation in his neck during his start against Colorado on Tuesday, when he allowed six runs in six-plus innings. Brown's results his past three starts have been uncharacteristic. He was 5-1 with a 1.09 ERA but is 1-2 with a 7.16 ERA in his last three outings.

--Adams ready: In spring training, Tracy and pitching coach Jim Colborn worked Adams as a starter in case they needed him in emergency situations, and that time has arrived. He was unavailable against the Astros in getting ready for his start against the Diamondbacks.

``It's something we talked about, discussed it in spring training and stretched me out, and I'm just glad they think highly of me to put me in that position to do it,'' Adams said. ``A lot of guys work hard to be a starter in a big-league rotation.''

Adams has pitched two innings eight times this season. Tracy said Adams could throw 60 to 70 pitches.

--Roster rhetoric: First baseman Chris Donnels is expected to be activated from the 15-day disabled list, and sources said it could be the end for catcher Angel Pena. Barring a last-minute change in plans, Pena, out of minor-league options, will be designated for assignment. He must clear waivers in order to be sent to Triple-A Las Vegas.

Pena, at one time regarded as the catcher of the future, is batting .204 in 22 games. He has one homer and two RBI. Donnels finished a rehab assignment with Las Vegas and was scheduled to meet the club in Phoenix for the four-game series with division-leading Arizona.

--Odds and ends: Security was heavy at Enron Field because Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian was in attendance. ... Before getting pounded in the second and third innings, Dodgers right-hander Eric Gagne hit his first career homer in the second inning. ... Tom Goodwin tied a career high with four hits and stole two bases. ... Shawn Green's seventh-inning two-run homer traveled an estimated 449 feet to center field, the fourth-longest homer at Enron and the longest this season. ... Vinny Castilla's two homers for Houston marked the 24th time in his career he's accomplished it. ... Houston closer Billy Wagner, who missed part of last year with an elbow problem, left in the ninth inning with a strained elbow and will have an MRI today.