DODGERS NOTEBOOK: DREIFORT HAS PROMISING RETURN.

Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer

ctor who performed Darren Dreifort's second elbow reconstruction said the specifics of this surgery were different and he expected the right-hander's elbow to hold up.

Team physician Dr. Frank Jobe said calcification in the replaced ligament led to Dreifort tearing an elbow ligament last June, but testing since that surgery showed no calcification. For that reason, the Dodgers didn't deem it necessary to overhaul Dreifort's pitching mechanics, which the past regime often called sloppy.

ever, Dreifort made several small changes in his delivery and that was on display Tuesday afternoon when he faced live hitters for the first time since his July 9, 2001, surgery.

Dreifort threw his changeup, fastball, sinker and even a few sliders during the 30-pitch outing against reserves Dave Hansen, Alex Cora and Jeff Reboulet.

``All the precautions we took so far and it hasn't calcified yet, so I don't think it's going to,'' Jobe said. ``He's taken anti-inflammatories. We knew it was there (after the first surgery). It shows a lot on other players and then we never have to operate on it again. (Dreifort's ligament) calcified the same length, so I think he just snapped it off.''

Dreifort, who underwent his first ``Tommy John'' surgery in 1995, didn't view the outing as a benchmark moment, but many members of the organization thought otherwise. A handful of players, the coaching staff, general manager Dan Evans, senior vice president of baseball operations Dave Wallace and chairman Bob Daly each turned out for the affair.

``It's a big difference seeing a guy and throwing to a catcher with nobody around,'' Dreifort said. ``I think early I was a little anxious, but I threw about 10 and I was fine.''

Dreifort signed a five-year, $55 million contract before the 2001 season, so the Dodgers are in no hurry to rush him. He will alternate between throwing in the bullpen, pitching batting practice and then throwing simulated games in the next few weeks. At the advice of the medical staff, he likely won't go on a rehab assignment before the All-Star break, but the club does plan on his return and a role in the bullpen in August.

It also will keep a close eye on Dreifort's mechanics. He has worked on keeping his body on top of the pitching rubber so his arm doesn't fall behind and cause him to sling the ball, thus putting more stress on the elbow.

``He's just so much more in line to the target that he's throwing to,'' Tracy said. ``The consistency of the delivery is something to keep in mind. If the consistency of that guy's delivery is there, he's going to throw things that are very difficult to hit.''

--Brown begins program: Two weeks to the day after his back surgery, right-hander Kevin Brown began his five-step trunk-stabilization program that includes strengthening his abdomen and back. It's a program that can take a few weeks or a few months before he can begin throwing a ball. Jobe said Brown's return this season was possible and several players believe Brown will return this season.

``He's feeling good, the surgery was successful and I know Brownie doesn't want to miss any time, but it may be a blessing in disguise to give his arm some time off,'' Dodgers catcher Paul Lo Duca said. ``I have no doubt in my mind he'll be back on the mound and I wouldn't doubt if it's a lot sooner than people think.''

--Odds and ends: Friday's game from Anaheim will be televised on Channel 9. Saturday's game will be on FoxSports Net, but the Sunday game won't be televised. ... Colorado right fielder Larry Walker and utility player Terry Shumpert are not expected to be in tonight's starting lineup. The two, along with pitcher Mike Hampton, chartered a plane and flew to St. Louis to attend the funeral of Cardinals pitcher Darryl Kile. They are expected back near game time.

DODGERS vs. COLORADO

Time: 7:10 p.m., Dodger Stadium.

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

Matchup: Six weeks ago, Dodgers manager Jim Tracy was defending his decision to keep RH Hideo Nomo (7-5, 3.62 ERA) in the starting rotation, and Nomo hasn't lost since. He is 5-0 with a 3.30 ERA in his past seven starts and hasn't lost since May 12. His only appearance against the Rockies came June 4, when he allowed three runs on 11 hits in seven innings. Rockies RH John Thomson (3-4, 4.63) is winless in four starts this month, during which his ERA is 9.28. Dodgers first baseman Eric Karros is 5 for 10 against Thomson.

- Brian Dohn

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DODGERS vs. COLORADO (see text)