Dodgers bringing up Nomar Garciaparra, Andruw Jones today

HOUSTON – The injury-depleted Dodgers have decided to end the minor-league rehab assignments of veterans Nomar Garciaparra and Andruw Jones early and will activate both players this afternoon before the start of a three-game series in San Francisco.

Jones, who had knee surgery five weeks ago, was 4-for-8 with a home run and three runs batted in three games for triple-A Las Vegas; Garciaparra, limited to 31 big-league at-bats by hand and calf problems, was 5-for-8 for eight for the 51s.

The Dodgers had hoped to get Garciaparra back this weekend; Jones, however, wasn’t expected back until after the All-Star break.

“Everything seems to be fine,” Manager Joe Torre said. “Does he need, maybe, another five to 10 at-bats? We’ll take our chances and have him do it at the major league level. Physically there seems to be no concern at all.”

With regular shortstop Rafael Furcal undergoing back surgery today and the two players who replaced him – Angel Berroa and Luis Maza – entering today’s game in Houston batting a combined .213, Torre plans to start Garciaparra at that position today. A five-time All-Star at shortstop with Boston, Garciaparra hasn’t played the position regularly in four seasons, so Torre plans to go slow with him.

“It’s going to being a feel thing,” he said. “He’s coming off two straight stints on the deal. I don’t want to push that envelope.”

Garciaparra was batting .226 in nine games before going out. Jones was hitting .165 with 45 strikeouts in 43 games.

Meanwhile right-hander Brad Penny, on the disabled list since June 15, will not start Saturday as planned. He threw a bullpen session today and will make at least one more rehab start before rejoining the rotation, perhaps next week.

“We both think he could be a little sharper,” Torre said.

Chan Ho Park will start in Penny’s place Saturday.

 kevin.baxter@latimes.com