Brown May Be Back Soon, but Not Dreifort

CINCINNATI â€”  The Dodgers received mixed news Tuesday about pitchers Kevin Brown and Darren Dreifort, learning that Brown appears to be on the verge of being activated but that Dreifort might be done for the season after undergoing exploratory arthroscopic surgery on his right knee.

The fast-healing Brown has exceeded expectations in recovering from June 11 surgery for a herniated disk in his lower back, prompting the Dodgers to schedule him to pitch Saturday for triple-A Las Vegas against Memphis at Las Vegas. Manager Jim Tracy said the right-hander is expected to make “in the neighborhood of 50 pitches,� and General Manager Dan Evans said Brown would “definitely make a subsequent rehab outing� regardless of his performance against Memphis.

Tracy and Evans were reluctant to discuss the club’s plans for Brown beyond the scheduled rehabilitation starts, declining to speculate on a target date for his return to the 25-man roster. However, they did not rule out Brown rejoining the club if things go well.

“He’s making great strides,� Tracy said. “His bullpen [session] today, once again, was very good. His bullpen on Sunday was special. You can’t help but be encouraged by the things you’re hearing about this guy.�

The news on Dreifort was not encouraging.

Dreifort, coming off reconstructive elbow surgery for the second time in six years, underwent surgery for the third time on his right knee, for minor cartilage damage, after results of an MRI exam were inconclusive. Team physicians Frank Jobe and Ralph Gambardella performed the procedure at the Kerlan-Jobe Clinic in Culver City.

The nine-year veteran--in the second year of a five-year, $55-million contract--sat out the 1995 season after having elbow surgery for the first time, and surgery limited him to 16 starts last season.

Although Dreifort, 30, could resume throwing in about 10 days, it is doubtful he would have enough time to rehabilitate from knee surgery, complete his elbow rehabilitation and rejoin the club this season.

“Let’s put it this way: I remain optimistic, but I’m not overly optimistic,� Tracy said. “I can’t see where there is enough time left on the calendar.

“It would be an extreme push, and I don’t think there’s anyone in the organization that’s interested in pursuing that avenue. That’s just not something we want to do, but we just have to wait and see.�

Brown threw 90 pitches in three 30-pitch bullpen sessions Tuesday at Dodger Stadium, and is expected to throw again Thursday.

“I want his teammates to know that, God forbid anything unforeseen happening, he’s going to be back,� Tracy said. “I want the players to have that big boost, because they deserve that big boost.�

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The Dodgers acquired utility infielder Tyler Houston in part to push underachieving third baseman Adrian Beltre.

Although Beltre is only 23, other clubs believe he might be traded in the off-season because the Dodgers’ patience is running thin.

Beltre, batting .247, is still an everyday player heading into the stretch run, but Tracy said he doesn’t have much rope left.

“I don’t have any more time to sit around and observe three horrific days in a row,� he said. “We don’t have any more time for that, we’re beyond that barrier, and that is on the record.�

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Evans has been busy heading into today’s 1 p.m. PDT non-waiver trading deadline, getting Houston from the Milwaukee Brewers and setup man Paul Shuey from the Cleveland Indians, and continues to be “in listening mode.�

“We met our objectives with [Houston and Shuey],� he said, “and I don’t see anything else being imminent at this point.�

But even if Evans does not complete another deal before this deadline, he could still bolster the roster in time for the playoffs with players who clear waivers.

Players traded before Aug. 31 are eligible for postseason play with their new clubs.

“We would have to be overwhelmed to make another move right now,� Evans said. “But [today] isn’t the deadline to improve our club.�

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Pitcher Odalis Perez, who received permission from the Dodgers to travel home to the Dominican Republic to tend to a family matter, rejoined the club in Cincinnati.

TODAY

DODGERS’

HIDEO NOMO

(10-6, 3.33 ERA)

vs.

REDS’

BRIAN MOEHLER

(1-0, 7.20 ERA)

Cinergy Field, Cincinnati, 4 p.m. PDT

TV--Fox Sports Net.

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

Update--Nomo, 2-1 with a 2.81 earned-run average in July, is coming off a victory against the San Francisco Giants in his last start. Moehler, acquired from the Detroit Tigers last week, defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates in his first start for the Reds.