| | SAN FRANCISCO -- Kevin Brown is expected to miss two weeks
with a broken pinkie on his pitching hand, reliever Gregg Olson is on the disabled list with an irritated nerve in his forearm and the Los Angeles Dodgers are
feeling banged up just a week into the season.
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| Brown |
Brown and Olson were in Los Angeles for medical exams Monday as
the Dodgers worked out in new Pacific Bell Park before they face
the San Francisco Giants in the stadium's debut on Tuesday.
Left fielder Gary Sheffield, who was carted in a wheelchair
through the airport when the Dodgers left New York on Sunday, said
his sprained right ankle was better -- but he was uncertain for
Tuesday's game.
First baseman Eric Karros did not take batting practice Monday
because of a stiff back. Reliever Mike Fetters, who felt a pull in
his left quadriceps Saturday in New York, was feeling fine Monday.
Brown, who has a $105 million contract and is the ace of the
Dodgers' pitching staff, broke the finger on his right hand while
attempting to bunt Saturday. He said over the weekend he'd try to
play through the injury, but Dodgers manager Davey Johnson said
that was unlikely.
Brown met with hand specialist Dr. Norman Zemel on Monday in Los
Angeles and was told not to pitch in a game for about two weeks.
"I will talk to Brownie before I make any determination of what
we will do," Johnson said. "Brownie still thinks he can pitch in
a week, but that's not what our medical people think."
Dodgers trainer Stan Johnston said Brown will be allowed to work
out with the team and throw a ball on the side. The main reason to
keep him out of games is so he doesn't aggravate the fracture while
hitting or fielding.
"He will be wearing a splint, but he will be allowed to take it
off to play catch to keep his arm in shape," Johnston said. "You
don't use that finger to hold the ball."
Johnson said Olson, who needs rest and possibly an injection for
his forearm, "is definitely going to need some down time." The Dodgers placed him on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday.
Left-hander Jeff Williams was recalled from Albuquerque of the Pacific Coast League to take Olson's spot on the roster.
Carlos Perez, who was optioned to the minors last Friday but has
not yet reported. If Brown goes on the disabled list, Perez could
take his place on the staff.
Sheffield spent Sunday on crutches after hurting himself while
tumbling on the warning track in Saturday's game against the Mets.
He said he reluctantly accepted the wheelchair ride at the airport.
"The guy asked me about 10 times, so I did it," Sheffield
said. "It was nice. And I tipped him pretty good." | |
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AUDIO/VIDEO
 Kevin Brown is ready for the healing process.
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