Ailing Roster Takes a Blow

PHOENIX â€”  In another frustrating day for the undermanned Dodgers, they put starter Kevin Brown on the 15-day disabled list Monday because of an irritated nerve in his neck, acknowledged that first baseman Eric Karros’ sprained lower back would sideline him longer than expected and demoted struggling starter Eric Gagne to the bullpen.

But for one night at least, the Dodgers were able to put aside their rash of misfortune by ending Arizona’s nine-game winning streak after an 8-4 victory against the Diamondbacks at Bank One Ballpark.

Five Dodgers hit home runs, including Shawn Green, who belted his team-leading 14th, a three-run third-inning blast. Adrian Beltre, Marquis Grissom, Tom Goodwin and Paul Lo Duca also homered in support of right-hander Chan Ho Park (7-4), who struck out six in seven innings.

The Brown move, retroactive to last Wednesday, was made after physicians Frank Jobe and Luga Podesta performed tests on the club’s No. 1 starter during a lengthy examination at the Kerlan-Jobe Clinic in Culver City.

The Dodgers put Brown, 36, on the disabled list for the second time this season and activated infielder Chris Donnels, who had been sidelined because of a lumbar sprain. Brown also had a severe Achilles’ injury out of spring training.

The 13-year veteran, uncharacteristically ineffective in his last three starts, underwent an MRI exam Saturday that showed he had a pinched nerve, prompting the club to send him home.

Setup man Terry Adams will take Brown’s spot and make his first major league start tonight against the Diamondbacks.

Adams is 2-2 with a 5.10 earned-run average in 21 appearances. Manager Jim Tracy said Adams will be limited to about 70 pitches.

The Dodgers hope Brown will miss only three or four starts.

Brown joins Karros, left fielder Gary Sheffield and starter Andy Ashby on the Dodgers’ high-profile disabled list.

“It’s definitely strange to have that many big guys out, and it obviously hurts us to have Brownie go down right now,� Green said. “You’re talking about the heart of your lineup in E.K. and Sheff, and Brownie is our ace.

“This is a huge series for us and we could use those guys, but we’ve had different guys step up. We’ll keep battling, get through the injuries and keep it together until those guys get healthy.�

Karros is eligible to be activated Wednesday, but he recently suffered a setback while rehabilitating at Dodger Stadium with Sheffield, who has torn ligaments in his left index finger.

The Dodgers were optimistic that Karros, who has been hitting off a batting tee, would return this week.

However, Tracy previously said the club’s No. 3 all-time home run hitter might require more time because of the often unpredictable nature of back injuries.

“I’ve been progressing, I’ve been working every day and I’ve been taking some swings,� Karros said in a phone interview. “To be honest with you, I’m exactly where I thought I would be.�

There is still no timetable for Karros’ return, but the Dodgers received more encouraging news about Sheffield and Ashby.

Sheffield is scheduled to take batting practice today for the first time since going on the disabled list.

If he emerges from the session pain-free, Sheffield is expected to be activated Friday.

“[Team medical personnel] made a pad to set on the bat in the area his finger gets irritated and it worked out extremely well,� Tracy said. “He had absolutely no problems . . . he swung the bat very well. Depending on [today], he possibly could be ready for us on Friday.�

Ashby (right elbow strain) has been building arm strength and might face batters today at the end of his bullpen session. That would be the final step before a rehabilitation assignment.

Said Tracy: “It would head us in that direction.�

Gagne is fine physically--his psyche is another matter.

The success of rookie starter Luke Prokopec and the impending return of Ashby has adversely affected Gagne and led to his demotion from the rotation.

Journeyman reliever Giovanni Carrara moves into the rotation after seven strong appearances and Gagne assumes the long-relief role.

Carrara, whose contract was purchased from triple-A Las Vegas on May 8, has a 0.68 ERA without a decision. He has given up only four hits and has 10 strikeouts with four walks in 13 1/3 innings.

“He has things to work out that are not so much physical as they are mental,� Tracy said of Gagne. “He has to go out there when his name is called, do the job and let this other decision-making stuff be taken care of by the people charged to take care of it.

“When you get yourself overly involved in things like that it sometimes has a bad tendency to inhibit performance. In his case, I think it sometimes has.�

Gagne has failed to complete at least five innings in his last three outings and has a 13.50 ERA during that span.

Tracy and pitching coach Jim Colborn have been disturbed by Gagne’s body language recently, and were especially concerned about his timid approach in Sunday’s 9-8, 10-inning victory over the Houston Astros at Enron Field.

The Astros pounded Gagne for six hits--Vinny Castilla had a two-run homer and a grand slam--and eight runs while chasing him in only 2 2/3 innings.

Gagne, who conceded it was time for a change, was pleased to remain on the 25-man roster.

“I’ve been struggling a lot and Gio deserves to be in there,� said Gagne, 1-3 with a 6.05 ERA and winless in his last eight starts. “When I get in trouble, I go too fast and start thinking negative. . . .

“I know that they have a lot of confidence in me and that’s the main thing. I just want to go to the bullpen and get my head straightened out. I’m going to go there without any pressure and just pitch and learn from it.�