DODGERS UPDATE: A NEW SETUP FOR GAGNE DREIFORT'S INJURY GIVES OTHERS CHANCE TO FILL VOID.

Byline: Jill Painter Staff Writer

The Dodgers have a new setup man. Setup men, actually.

Darren Dreifort was thrust into the role when the Dodgers dealt Guillermo Mota to Florida nearly three weeks ago. But Dreifort, who struggled in that role, learned Tuesday he probably will need season-ending knee surgery.

Dodgers manager Jim Tracy said Giovanni Carrara, Duaner Sanchez and Yhency Brazoban - or a combination of all three - would fill the void. At least for now.

``I just think we have an opportunity to try a couple of things and see what makes the most sense,'' Tracy said.

Brazoban, a hard-throwing right-hander, would relish the opportunity. Just last year, the 24-year-old spent half the season at Single-A Tampa (Fla.) in the New York Yankees organization. He was acquired in the offseason in the deal for Kevin Brown and started the season at Double-A Jacksonville (Fla.), going 4-4 with 13 saves. He earned minor league pitcher of the month in April and was promoted to Triple-A Las Vegas, where he was 2-0 with a 2.19 ERA in 10 appearances.

He was called up to the big leagues July 31 and has a 1.50 ERA in six appearances.

``I would love it. I'd like to be the guy Tracy can count on,'' Brazoban said through teammate Odalis Perez, who interpreted for him.

Dreifort couldn't seem to find his groove as the setup man. On Monday, the day he partially tore his anterior cruciate ligament, he entered a 2-2 game against the Marlins and gave up two runs. He even bounced a pitch in front of the mound. It was the third time since he moved into the role that he squandered a lead or given up the tie-breaking run in a game.

Even if Dreifort had been healthy after Monday's debacle, Tracy probably would have looked at other options. Now Dreifort can only watch as the Dodgers try for their first playoff berth since 1996.

``It's hard, regardless,'' Dreifort said. ``I find myself in an unfamiliar position with this ballclub, doing this well so late in the season and not trying to catch up to somebody. We're running away from them. But I'll be here. I'll be a fan of this team.''

The Dodgers must rework the bullpen, once the best in baseball. But after the Mota trade and sending Tom Martin to Atlanta, getting the ball to Eric Gagne is no longer a given.

``It's tough for us,'' Carrara said. ``But we've got to think about the future and do our best. We have to do our best to help the team.''

When asked what his role was in doing that, Carrara said: ``pitching.''

Carrara, who said he'll do whatever he's asked, was being more serious than sarcastic. Throughout his career, he's served many roles, including that of a starter. He pitched three innings of long relief when Kazuhisa Ishii struggled Aug. 6, and 4 1/3 innings when Brad Penny was injured Aug. 8.

Jill Painter, [phone]

jill.painter(at)dailynews.com