Olson’s Still Traveling That Comeback Trail

Right-hander Gregg Olson has been down this road before, so the Dodger reliever is trying to keep it in perspective.

Olson, who has been on the disabled list since April 11 because of a strained right forearm, will make a rehabilitation start tonight for the Class-A San Bernardino Stampede.

“I’ve had a couple of rehabs there and they didn’t work, so I’m just being cautiously optimistic about this one,� Olson said. “I thought I was real close a couple of times, but something always trips me up.�

Olson, 33, was the 1989 American League rookie of the year with the Baltimore Orioles after he had 27 saves. He had 30 saves two years ago with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Tonight he will face the Mudville Nine of Stockton, a minor league affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers.

“I’m just going to go out there and throw as hard as I can for as long as I can go,� Olson said. “I want the Dodgers to get comfortable with me.�

Olson has been throwing in bullpen workouts as well as simulated games.

“I was treating batters with too much respect [in simulated games],� he said. “Once I’m out there, though, and get some confidence, that will change.�

*

The latest X-rays of Geronimo Berroa’s broken left foot, taken Thursday morning, revealed that there is still a break, the utility player said.

“I was sad this morning. I wanted some good news,� Berroa said. “Now I’ve got to wait another three weeks just to take another X-ray.�

Berroa went on the disabled list June 3 after fouling a ball off his foot. He was batting .258 with five RBIs in 31 at-bats, mostly in a pinch-hitting role.

“Even if it’s healed in three weeks it will take another two weeks just to get back in shape, so it’s still a month-and-a-half away [at best],� Berroa said. “And if it’s still broken then it will be even longer.

ON DECK

“All I can do is wait it out.�

* Opponent--San Francisco Giants, three games.

* Site--Pacific Bell Park.

* Tonight--7:30.

* Records--Dodgers 40-37, Giants 38-37.

* Record vs. Giants--3-0.

* TV--Channel 5 tonight, Channel 11 Saturday, ESPN Sunday.

* Radio--KXTA (1150), KWKW (1330).

TONIGHT

DODGERS’

KEVIN BROWN

(6-2, 2.29 ERA)

vs.

GIANTS’

RUSS ORTIZ

(4-7, 6.59 ERA)

* Update--Brown has practically owned the Giants in his career, going 7-1 with a 1.20 earned-run average in nine starts against San Francisco. Ortiz, who graduated from Montclair Prep in Van Nuys, is 1-0 with a 6.94 ERA in three games against the Dodgers.

* Saturday, 1 p.m.--Carlos Perez (4-3, 5.25) vs. Kirk Rueter (5-4, 4.23).

* Sunday, 5 p.m.--Eric Gagne (1-4, 4.47) vs. Shawn Estes (7-3, 3.81).