DODGERS NOTEBOOK: JORDAN FINISHED FOR SEASON, L.A.

Byline: Matt McHale Staff Writer

ST. LOUIS - Brian Jordan finally conceded Wednesday he probably has played his last game with the Dodgers after agreeing to undergo season-ending surgery to repair a torn patellar tendon in his left knee.

After weeks of speculation, Jordan will have the tendon reattached Friday in Vail, Colo., by orthopedist Richard Steadman, who said the left-fielder should be ready to resume playing next spring training.

But with the Dodgers holding a $10.5 million option on Jordan for next season, it is unlikely he will return to the club.

``That's the way I've got to look at it,'' said Jordan, who delayed a decision on surgery for more than two weeks. ``I hope it's not that way, but I've got to prepare for next year regardless. I want to be 100 percent and don't want fans to see me limping around.''

Jordan, 36, was the unquestioned team leader of the Dodgers after coming over from Atlanta two years ago in a trade for Gary Sheffield. But his physical condition always was a concern.

He underwent a similar procedure on his left knee last winter. Despite losing 25 pounds as part of his rehabilitation, Jordan was hobbled all season.

Jordan batted .299 in 66 games this season. He had six home runs and 28 RBI, but three of his homers came in the first three games of the season.

When Jordan left the Dodgers lineup for good, June 23, the team was in first place. They dropped 14 of their next 18 until Wednesday's 6-5 victory over St. Louis.

``They're my teammates and it has been tough watching them fall,'' said Jordan, who will do his rehabilitation at Dodger Stadium. ``You build that chemistry with your teammates. It's bad not to be there and pump them up.''

--Also: Although Kevin Brown is experiencing tenderness in his abdomen, he is expected to make his next start Sunday in Colorado. Brown was scheduled to pitch Tuesday in San Diego but threw in the bullpen instead and put his abdomen through a rigorous workout before Wednesday's game.

``I'm still confident he can go,'' Dodgers manager Jim Tracy said. ``But we'll evaluate more every day.'' ...

Chad Hermansen started in left field in place of Mike Kincade, who left Tuesday for the state of Washington to attend his grandmother's funeral. Kincade will return today, but Hermansen made the most of the opportunity with an RBI double in the Dodgers five-run fourth inning and a sensational diving catch of a Mike Matheny drive in the third inning that could have scored two runs.

Hermansen, bothered by a bad shoulder in spring training, started the season at Triple-A Las Vegas and was batting .399 in 39 games when his contract was purchased July 3. ...

Daryle Ward continued his disappointing season, taking a called third strike batting for Paul Shuey with two out and one on in the eighth inning. Ward, the Dodgers top left-handed hitter off the bench, now is 3 for 22 as a pinch hitter.

Matt McHale, [phone]

matt.mchale(at)dailynews.com

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- Matt McHale