Brown Says He’s Pain-Free and Ready to Be Activated

Kevin Brown is ready to pitch.

The Dodger right-hander said Friday he wants to be activated from the disabled list after his third consecutive pain-free bullpen session.

The irritated nerve in Brown’s neck has healed and he’s eager to return to the mound, but the Dodgers are proceeding cautiously with their No. 1 starter.

Brown is expected to be activated Tuesday to start against the San Francisco Giants at Pacific Bell Park, but Manager Jim Tracy would not commit to that.

Tracy said he wants the medical staff to evaluate Brown today before a decision is made.

Brown has already made his decision.

“I’m ready to go,” said Brown, 6-3 with a 2.60 earned-run average in 10 starts.

“As long as things are good [today], it should be the last hurdle. We just need to see how everything reacts to make sure nothing goes backward.”

Giovanni Carrara pitched well while subbing for Brown, but the journeyman right-hander is expected to return to the bullpen.

If Brown is not activated Tuesday, he probably would start July 1 against the San Diego Padres in the final game of seven-game trip.

“It’s just a matter of . . . it has to fit with the rotation right now,” Brown said.

“I’ve got to have a couple days after throwing [Friday’s] bullpen. It’s a matter of whatever the team needs.”

Starter Andy Ashby visited the clubhouse for the first time since having season-ending elbow surgery June 15.

Ashby, whose right arm was in a cast, received a warm greeting from Tracy, teammates and coaches.

“Everyone has been great through this whole thing,” said Ashby, who started only two games after signing a three-year, $22.5-million contract.

“It’s disappointing having two starts, trying to come back and getting close, to where I thought I was going to be back, and have a totally different thing happen.”

Dr. Frank Jobe, who performed Ashby’s surgery, said the 10-year veteran should be ready to start spring training.

Tracy and pitching coach Jim Colborn believe struggling starter Darren Dreifort must change his approach against left-handed batters, who are hitting .293 against him.

Right-handed batters are hitting only .217 against the right-hander.

“There are some things that we feel we’re able to address with Dreif,” Tracy said. “Although I’m not a huge numbers guy, sometimes I do go look, and there’s quite a discrepancy between his success against right-handers vs. his success against left-handers.”

Tracy said second baseman Mark Grudzielanek (sprained left ankle) might be activated from the disabled list Wednesday. . . . Setup man Mike Fetters (stiff neck) was unavailable Friday.

TONIGHT

DODGERS’ LUKE PROKOPEC

(6-3, 4.35 ERA)

vs.

PADRES’ BRIAN LAWRENCE

(0-0, 5.40)

Dodger Stadium, 7

TV--Fox Sports Net 2

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

Update--Prokopec is 1-0 with a 2.08 ERA in two appearances against the Padres. The Australian rookie right-hander is 0-2 with a 6.86 ERA in four starts this month, and opponents are batting .358 against him. Rookie right-hander Lawrence is scheduled to make his first career start after 11 relief appearances.

Tickets--(323) 224-1448.