DODGERS NOTEBOOK: ROTATION IN FLUX FOR FINAL WEEK.

Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer

Dodgers right-hander Kevin Beirne replaces injured Kevin Brown in tonight's pivotal third game of the series with San Francisco, but Dodgers manager Jim Tracy said Tuesday that Brown's latest injury leaves his rotation in flux for the final seven games of the season.

Tracy said pitchers would stay on schedule through Saturday at San Diego, meaning Beirne, Odalis Perez, Andy Ashby and Hideo Nomo are set. However, Tracy wouldn't name a starter Sunday against the Padres.

Before making that decision, Tracy wanted to see how left-hander Omar Daal fared against the Giants - Daal was obliterated for five runs in 1 2/3 innings. Tracy also wants to consider the National League wild-card standings and how Monday's off day enables him to manipulate his rotation.

``We'll look at everything,'' Tracy said. ``It depends on the situation. This is more or less like a day-to-day situation where we look at it all the time.''

Tracy could start staff ace Nomo on short rest twice in the final week, but he added a four-man rotation was not a choice for several reasons. Among them, Ashby is bothered by a blister and has made 29 starts after being limited to two starts last season because of surgery, and Perez already has pitched a career-high 205 1/3 innings.

``I don't think it would be a wise thing to do,'' Tracy said.

The Dodgers are in this bind because Brown is hurt again and out for the season. Though general manager Dan Evans said Brown won't be placed on the disabled list, his season is over because of recurring back soreness, residual effects of June 11 back surgery.

The Dodgers believe Brown will be ready come spring training, but he was not at Tuesday's game because of the back injury, team officials said.

--Triathlon course to be changed: After the Dodgers' suggestion for a late-afternoon start Sept. 8 to accommodate the L.A. Triathlon contributed to left-hander Kazuhisa Ishii being struck in the forehead with a batted ball, the event's organizer said the course would be altered not to wind near Dodger Stadium and conflict with future games.

Ishii said shadows on the field made it difficult to see the ball coming off the bat of Houston's Brian Hunter. Dodgers officials told the Los Angeles Sports Council of their desire to have the triathlon moved away from Chavez Ravine, and the sports council spoke with L.A. Triathlon president Jack Caress.

``If there is a conflict in the future, we would look at a `B' course,'' Caress said. ``If it's going to mean disrupting a Dodgers game, we wouldn't want to do that.''

Next year is not a concern since the Dodgers will be away during the event, scheduled for Sept. 7.

Ishii had the staples removed from his head Tuesday and will be at Dodger Stadium today, his first visit since the incident that forced him to undergo surgery and have a titanium plate placed in his head.

--Odds and ends: The Giants expect to hear today about a suspension for catcher Benito Santiago, who might have bumped an umpire during Sunday's loss to San Diego. However, Santiago is expected to appeal any suspension so he can play the final two games of the series against the Dodgers. ... Dodgers outfielder Marquis Grissom was nominated for the Roberto Clemente Award, given to the player who best exemplifies the game of baseball, sportsmanship, community involvement and contribution to the team.

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DODGERS vs. SAN FRANCISCO