DODGERS NOTEBOOK: JORDAN MAY BE HEADED TO DL.

Byline: Rich Hammond  Staff Writer

Dodgers outfielder Brian Jordan has such significant back pain that he cannot swing a bat, and if his condition does not improve by the end of the week, Jordan said he might be headed to the disabled list.

Jordan last played in New York on Friday, a decision that could put him out of action even longer because it would not allow the Dodgers to make the move retroactive.

``Yeah, that's a possibility,'' Jordan said Wednesday, before the Dodgers played the Florida Marlins at Dodger Stadium. ``I'd hate to think that they wasted that day in New York, as for putting it retroactive.

``(The disabled list) is an option, but at this point, I don't know. I haven't talked to (manager Jim Tracy) yet, and he hasn't talked to the doctors.''

Jordan, who is suffering from a protruding disc in his back and has missed 10 of the last 11 games, suffered similar problems in 1997 when he played just 47 games for the St. Louis Cardinals. Jordan said doctors found a tear near the disc last week but are unsure if it's a byproduct from the injury four years ago.

Tracy said before Tuesday's game he was sure Jordan would be in Wednesday's lineup, but Jordan is continuing rehabilitation work and cannot play.

``That was before the doctors saw me,'' Jordan said of Tracy's statement. ``We'll see what happens with the next two or three days of rehab. ... I missed three-quarters of the season in '97 and I don't want to go through that again. This isn't as bad as it was in '97 and I don't want it to get to that.

``I'm doing the best I can with the treatment and stretching and working out.''

Jordan backed off from the frustration he expressed over the weekend about not being in the lineup but said his time might have been better used by staying back in Los Angeles and rehabilitating his back, rather than sitting on the bench in Montreal and New York.

``It was just frustrating on my part, because of my back,'' Jordan said. ``That was it. I mean, I understand, we had a hot lineup, those guys were doing great. That wasn't so much the issue. The issue was the frustration of coming all that way and just playing one game. I think just sitting around hurt my back more.

``But it might have worked out best, because playing that day might have hurt my back worse. It all works itself out.''

--Positive step? Tracy feverishly defended the Tuesday-night outing of Kevin Brown, who gave up three runs in three innings in a relief outing against the Marlins. Brown has now given up four runs in five innings since returning from elbow and back surgeries.

``I was not disappointed in his performance,'' Tracy said. ``There's going to be some ups and downs. I saw some pitches that were great, and I saw some pitches that were flat. You've got to be patient.''

Tracy bristled when asked how often he would consider using Brown and if it was difficult to bring Brown back during a pennant race.

``The guy has had two surgeries in a year's time. How many different questions can I answer about it?'' Tracy said. ``He had his elbow repaired in September of 2001 and he had major back surgery three months ago. Now how many more questions can I answer about this?

``(We have to) give this guy a window of opportunity to find the solution that's necessary to get him back to what we've been accustomed to seeing. It takes time. That's the answer to all questions: time.''

--Scully absent: Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully was not at the ballpark to call Wednesday's game due to illness.

DODGERS VS. FLORIDA

Time: Noon, Dodger Stadium.

TV/Radio: Ch. 13; 1150-AM, 1330-AM (Spanish).

Matchup: Dodgers RH Hideo Nomo (11-6, 3.53 ERA) will try to beat the team that has given him the most trouble throughout his major-league career. Nomo has lost 10 consecutive decisions to the Marlins and is 2-10 lifetime with a 4.84 ERA in 15 starts. On May 12, Nomo allowed the Marlins six earned runs in 4 2/3 innings in a 11-3 Dodgers loss. Florida RH Josh Beckett (5-6, 4.37) makes his debut against the Dodgers; he has allowed 13 earned runs over 20 innings in his last four starts on the road.

- Rich Hammond

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DODGERS vs. FLORIDA (see text)