Brown Is Activated, but Fetters Goes on DL

The Dodgers activated starter Kevin Brown and added reliever Mike Fetters to their list of sidelined players Sunday, putting the veteran setup man on the 15-day disabled list because of neck stiffness.

The move, retroactive to June 20, increases the burden on a bullpen already overworked and in disarray.

With Terry Adams in the rotation and other relievers struggling, Manager Jim Tracy has relied on Fetters, Matt Herges and closer Jeff Shaw.

Fetters, 2-1 with a 3.97 earned-run average in 25 appearances, said he first experienced stiffness June 15 while earning the save in a 6-2 interleague victory over the Angels at Edison Field.

The problem persisted last Tuesday when Fetters worked a scoreless ninth inning in a 9-2 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium.

After Fetters struggled in a pregame bullpen session Sunday, Tracy decided the move had to be made.

“It gets to the point where it grates on you a little bit,” Tracy said of the club’s rash of injuries. “These people that we seem to have been talking about since [the season started], you know what their capabilities are if you get them completely healthy.”

*

The decision to dump ineffective reliever Gregg Olson is another indication that interim General Manager Dave Wallace is trying to send a message about the club’s priorities.

In his brief tenure, Wallace, with the support of Chairman Bob Daly, has stressed performance first.

Olson is guaranteed $1.75 million in the second year of a two-year, $3.5-million deal that includes an option year, which the Dodgers will buy out for $500,000.

But Olson was 0-1 with an 8.03 ERA in 28 games, and the Dodgers determined he could not help them, so the right-hander was designated for assignment.

Wallace also released pitcher Carlos Perez, guaranteed $7.5 million this season, in May because of, well, the last three years.

“The Los Angeles Dodgers are very much getting back to the point,” Tracy said, “where it’s about the best guys we have to put numbers in the [victory] column of those standings.”

*

First baseman Eric Karros was not in the lineup because of back stiffness, Tracy said.

Karros was on the disabled list from May 25 to June 15 because of a severely sprained lower back.

Tracy downplayed the situation.

“Karros is stiff, but it’s not like it was when we placed him on the disabled list,” Tracy said. “He’s just still somewhat stiff in bending over, so we’re holding him back.”

*

Second baseman Mark Grudzielanek (sprained left ankle) said he plans to receive treatment at Dodger Stadium while the team starts a seven-game trip in San Francisco.

Grudzielanek, who can be activated from the disabled list Wednesday, hopes to rejoin the club Thursday in San Diego.

*

Shortstop Alex Cora, hit by a pitch in the fifth inning Sunday, was removed in the sixth inning of the 6-1 loss to the Padres because of a bruised right forearm.

X-rays were negative and Cora is listed as day-to-day.

ON DECK

Opponent--San Francisco Giants, three games.

Site--Pacific Bell Park.

Tonight--7.

TV--Channel 5 today and Tuesday, Fox Sports Net 2 on Wednesday.

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

Records--Dodgers 38-36, Giants 40-35.

Record vs. Giants--3-3.

TONIGHT

DODGERS’ CHAN HO PARK

(8-4, 2.80 ERA)

vs.

GIANTS’ MARK GARDNER

(3-5, 5.68 ERA)

Update--Park is 6-6 with a 4.89 earned-run average in 16 games against the Giants.

Tuesday, 7 p.m.--Kevin Brown (6-3, 2.60) vs. Shawn Estes (7-2, 2.59).

Wednesday, 4 p.m.--Terry Adams (2-2, 5.33) vs. Livan Hernandez (6-9, 6.22).