Grudzielanek Isn’t Feeling Too Chipper

Second baseman Mark Grudzielanek is sidelined indefinitely because of a chipped bone in his right middle finger.

He was injured while turning a double play in the fourth inning of Sunday’s 9-2 loss to the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field.

Trainer Stan Johnston said X-rays revealed “a little chip in the last joint” of the middle finger and that Grudzielanek will be evaluated today by team physician Frank Jobe.

Jeff Reboulet started at second in Monday’s 4-2 victory against the Braves. The nine-year veteran will start until Grudzielanek returns, Manager Jim Tracy said.

Grudzielanek, productive despite injuries, is optimistic that he will not go on the 15-day disabled list for the second time this season, saying he might need only a few days to rest.

“We’re going to try to get the swelling down in the next two days, and hopefully it will feel better [today],” he said. “I’m possibly looking at a few days at most. If it was a little later in the season, I’d be out there, there’s no question about that.

“I feel to the point where ... yeah, it’s going to bother me. It’s going to hamper some things. The concern is the fielding and throwing, that’s the most important thing. We’ll see in the next day or so, but maybe I’ll be in there Thursday or sooner.”

Tracy said Grudzielanek has been “as steady as you can possibly be,” batting .284 with 10 home runs, 47 runs batted in and playing better defense in his second season at second.

Dan Evans, interim assistant general manager, joined the club for the last game of the seven-game trip after completing a 12-day tour of the farm system.

With the Dodgers in playoff contention, Evans, Tracy and interim General Manager Dave Wallace will meet this week to set the postseason roster, which must be done by Sept. 1.

The Dodgers are interested in acquiring a right-handed pinch-hitter, but Evans said the role might be filled from within the organization.

First baseman Eric Karros remains in a slump. He was one for 16 with seven strikeouts on the trip.

Tracy has given the nine-year veteran opportunities, but he might not get many more.

ON DECK

Opponent--Colorado Rockies, three games.

Site--Dodger Stadium.

Tonight--7.

TV--Fox Sports Net 2.

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

Records--Dodgers 72-59, Rockies 56-73.

Record vs. Rockies--8-5.

TONIGHT

DODGERS’ KEVIN BROWN (8-4, 2.95 ERA) vs. ROCKIES’ SHAWN CHACON (6-8, 5.53 ERA)

Update--Brown, sidelined six weeks, will be activated from the disabled list before the game. The right-hander returns to the mound for the first time since suffering a partially torn muscle in his pitching elbow July 15 against Pittsburgh at PNC Park. He will be limited to about 90 pitches. Although the injury has not healed completely, Brown, on the disabled list three times this season, said he feels good enough to contribute in the homestretch of the playoff races. “At this point, knock on wood, it’s been better than I really expected,” he said. “As long as it’s not completely torn at this point, I’m going to pitch. The time frame is such that it’s now or never.”

Wednesday, 7 p.m.--James Baldwin (2-1, 3.47) vs. Jason Jennings (1-0, 0.00).

Thursday, 7 p.m.--Chan Ho Park (12-9, 2.95) vs. Denny Neagle (8-6, 5.16).

Tickets--(323) 224-1448.