DODGERS NOTEBOOK: JORDAN'S POWER LEAST OF WORRIES.

Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer

MILWAUKEE - Brian Jordan's homerless streak is at 128 at-bats and counting, but he swears he's not the least bit concerned about the power shortage.

What's more frustrating for the Dodgers' left fielder is his left knee, which still isn't 100 percent and might not be until the season is over. In addition to forcing him to sit out occasionally so he doesn't overdo it, Jordan said the surgically repaired knee is limiting his effectiveness in other areas.

``I want to run more, but then I don't want to take chances,'' Jordan said. ``That's the problem. That's the mental thing right now. I want to (steal) so bad, but I know I'm going to score on a base hit. I want to make something happen. Nothing's going on. Our offense is kind of stagnant. But I don't want to take a chance and re-injure that knee on a slide.''

Jordan had the patella tendon in his left knee repaired two days after the 2002 season. Dodgers trainer Stan Johnston said it takes from nine months to a year to fully recover, but Jordan began playing five months after the surgery.

However, the speed aspect of his game has suffered. He was thrown out in his only attempted steal.

``I just can't wait until my knee feels 100 percent, which I'm hoping it will happen during the season,'' Jordan said. ``I came back in 4 1/2 months and pounding it every day, it may not be until the winter when it's 100 percent. As long as I know it's getting better and better it'll be just fine.''

Jordan said the sometimes-sore knee, which requires daily treatment before and after games, is not the reason he hasn't homered since April 3. Jordan's power was more impacted when he injured his hand in a batting practice accident May 11.

But after homering three times in his first four games, Jordan has gone dry.

``I couldn't care less,'' Jordan said. ``As long as I'm driving in runs, making things happen, I know that's going to come.''

--Twelve, for now: Even though the Dodgers' starters are averaging nearly 6 2/3 innings an outing and the bullpen is getting little work - Andy Ashby last pitched May 10 and Steve Colyer hasn't pitched since being recalled May 13 - they will carry 12 pitchers through the three-game series in Colorado, which begins Tuesday.

Ashby has been troubled by a sore back and was unavailable Thursday, but he said he felt better Friday and warmed up in the second inning.

``It feels better than it has,'' Ashby said.

If the Dodgers dip back to the conventional 11 pitchers when they return home Friday to play Milwaukee, the leading candidate to be promoted is outfielder Bubba Crosby. The former first-round pick in the 1998 draft, Crosby is batting .396 with six homers and 29 RBI with Triple-A Las Vegas.

--Odds and ends: Center fielder Dave Roberts (hamstring) said he will go on a rehab assignment Thursday with Las Vegas and play three days and could be activated June 1. ... San Diego Padres outfielder Shane Victorino, selected from the Dodgers in the Rule 5 draft, was designated for assignment. If he is not traded and clears waivers, the Dodgers will pay $25,000 to re-acquire him. Victorino was batting .151 with four RBI.

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- Brian Dohn