DODGERS NOTEBOOK: JORDAN CONTINUES DOWN THE WRONG TRACK IN L.A.

Byline: Jill Painter Staff Writer

Brian Jordan can't seem to catch a break in Los Angeles. With the fans, at the plate or with his health.

In his latest setback, Jordan injured his lower back/oblique trying to field a ball on the warning track Monday and hasn't played since. He couldn't rule out a stint on the disabled list.

``It's a possibility,'' Jordan said Thursday. ``I'm a competitor. I want to be in the lineup but I have to be smart about it. I hope not. I've never had this type of strain.''

Jordan, who was traded by Atlanta in the offseason and who also played in the NFL, has had his share of injuries. He already has made the decision to have knee surgery after the season.

He was batting .256 with six home runs before the injury. He said he's hopeful he can return for this four-game series against the Montreal Expos. He was ready to test the oblique Thursday.

``I'm definitely improving,'' he said. ``If it was up to me, I'm trying to swing (Thursday).''

Jordan has played through many injuries in his career. In 2000, he had just one stint on the disabled list with a rib cage injury but played through sore knees, sore ankles and a sore right hand.

The Dodgers have been struggling offensively this week and Jordan and speedy outfielder Dave Roberts have been out with injuries. Roberts hurt his right quadriceps Sunday and has been available for pinch-hit and pinch-running duties the last two days. Roberts said the injury had been improving until Thursday.

--Nomo's delivery: Pitching coach Jim Colborn has worked with struggling starter Hideo Nomo this week on using his legs more in his delivery. Nomo is 2-5 with a 3.91 ERA with 29 walks this season. He walked four in his last start.

``I thought his line was better,''Colborn said. ``Basically, I think his lower body wasn't strong and powerful enough. It looks better from the sidelines but we won't know until we put him in (today). It's like a good golf swing - you're good on the practice range but you don't know what happens on the course.''

--Who's on first? Lately, the lineup is starting to look like it did last year - always different. And Thursday was more of the same. Shortstop Cesar Izturis was given a day off, so Alex Cora played shortstop and batted leadoff. Adrian Beltre batted second and Hiram Bocachica played left field for the second consecutive game.

--Odds and ends: Montreal is averaging just 8,410 fans per game amid talk of moving the team to Washington. ... The Expos acquired infielder/outfielder Jose Macias from Detroit in exchange for infielder Chris Truby on Thursday. ... The Dodgers are tied for first in the National League with a fielding percentage of .986. ... The Dodgers have hit into a major-league leading 52 double plays this year.

DODGERS vs. MONTREAL

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

TV/Radio: FSN2; 1150-AM, 1330-AM (Spanish)

Matchup: RHP Hideo Nomo (2-5, 3.91 ERA) is 5-1 with a 3.12 ERA in nine career starts against the Expos. In his last start, Nomo walked four and allowed seven runs (six earned) in an 11-3 loss to Florida. RHP Tony Armas Jr. (5-3, 3.53 ERA) was 1-0 with a 0.69 ERA against the Dodgers in two starts last year.

- Jill Painter

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DODGERS vs. MONTREAL (see text)