Fetters on Disabled List

Reliever Mike Fetters will go on the disabled today after experiencing inflammation on his pitching elbow.

The Dodgers made the move, which is retroactive to May 4, because swelling around the right-hander’s elbow has not decreased despite therapy. Left-hander Onan Masaoka has been recalled from triple-A Albuquerque to take Fetters’ spot on the 25-man roster.

Masaoka is expected to be in uniform for tonight’s game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Bank One Ballpark.

Fetters is eligible to be activated May 19. He said he plans to be ready sooner than that.

“I’m not real happy that this thing flared up because of how [well] I was throwing and how hard I had to work just to get to this point,” said Fetters, who underwent elbow surgery last season to remove bone chips. “It’s real frustrating when you want to be out there helping your team win, but it doesn’t make any sense to push it now and be out even longer later.”

The Dodgers are relieved that an MRI exam of Fetters’ elbow did not reveal ligament damage. Team medical personnel believe the swelling will decrease with rest, and Fetters will continue undergoing therapy three times daily.

“It’s really a day-to-day thing,” said Fetters, 1-0 with a 2.53 earned-run average. “It’s probably something that’s going to take about eight days, but it’s not fair to [Manager] Davey [Johnson] and my teammates to have them short-handed while I’m recovering.

“If I can’t do anything to help, even as the 25th man on the roster, then I shouldn’t take up a roster spot when we can get someone else up here to help. That’s the only fair thing to do for my team.”

Masaoka began the season as the only left-hander in the bullpen. He was optioned to the Dukes after struggling with his command and confidence. He had no decisions and a 7.50 ERA in five appearances.

In six innings, the second-year pitcher gave up five hits--including two home runs--and walked two. Masaoka had problems at Albuquerque too.

He started for the Dukes, going 1-0 with a 4.35 ERA in five games, but he had 25 walks in 20 2/3 innings.

But Masaoka is a lefty, he’s in the system and active. With the Dodgers’ situation, that’s enough to open another door for Masaoka.

*

Former Dodger Pedro Borbon is among the left-handers General Manager Kevin Malone has inquired about, two baseball sources said.

Malone has spoken with Toronto Blue Jay General Manager Gord Ash about reacquiring Borbon, who went to Toronto in November as part of the Shawn Green-Raul Mondesi trade.

Borbon limited left-handed batters to a .156 average in ‘99--second lowest in the National League--but is struggling this season. He is 1-0 with a 7.71 ERA in 17 appearances.

Borbon has given up 10 earned runs in 11 2/3 innings. Left-handed batters are batting .292 against him--right-handed batters .407.

*

Reliever Gregg Olson (right forearm strain) is expected to undergo more tests before resuming throwing, Johnson said. Olson has been on the disabled list since April 11.

TONIGHT

DODGERS’

KEVIN BROWN

(2-1, 2.45 ERA)

vs.

DIAMONDBACKS’

RANDY JOHNSON

(7-0, 0.93 ERA)

Bank One Ballpark, 7.

TV--Fox Sports Net 2.

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

* Update--This pitching matchup is as good as it gets. Johnson has been the game’s top starter this season. He’s only the third pitcher to win six games in April. The 6-foot-10 left-hander has been even more dominating than last season--when he won his second Cy Young Award. Brown has pitched well since coming off the disabled list. The right-hander gave up only one run during eight innings in his outing last Friday, a 3-2 victory over the Houston Astros in which he got a no-decision. Brown and Johnson, the top pitchers in the ’98 free-agent class, have fared well since signing with the Dodgers and Diamondbacks, respectively. Brown is 20-10 with a 2.93 ERA and 249 strikeouts in 285 1/3 innings since the Dodgers gave him a seven-year, $105-million deal. Johnson, who got a four-year, $52-million package, is 24-9 with a 2.21 ERA and 439 strikeouts in 330 innings.