Brown Expects to Be Ready in Spring

Kevin Brown, who underwent season-ending right elbow surgery Sept. 27, rejoined the club in San Francisco for the final series.

The right-hander, whose pitching elbow was still taped, said he was optimistic about his rehabilitation program.

“I don’t think, at this point, anybody expects it to be a problem,” Brown said. “A throwing program will probably start either at the end of December or the first of January, assuming everything goes as [team medical personnel] hope and expect. Come spring training, everything should be back to normal.”

Brown, 36, is expected to be ready for the start of next season after having a torn muscle repaired. He might have been sidelined for the 2002 season if he had needed reconstructive surgery.

“Obviously, it takes a period of time for it to heal,” said Brown, 10-4 with a 2.65 earned-run average in 20 appearances, including 19 starts. “There are things that you can do during that period of time, but there are points you don’t want to cross. I probably won’t be out doing curls [today]. I’ve got that figured out. I don’t care to have it redone.

“They [the medical staff] have been through it a few times. They know what they’re talking about, and I’ve got time. It’s not like in three months’ time I’ve got to be ready for the season. It’s not panic, there’s not a rush, I just have to go about it and try to get it done.”

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General Manager Dan Evans has informed members of his front-office staff that roles will be changing.

Evans said he would be actively involved in the arbitration process, all contract negotiations and other administrative areas. He also plans to augment the scouting department and redefine job titles and responsibilities.

“There were some issues that needed to be clarified internally, and I think those have been clarified for the most part,” Evans said. “I just wanted people to be aware of that. ... I’ve been through transitions, and they’re difficult for people.

“I didn’t want to say things in the media until those people had been spoken to, and I’m just about done having to speak to everybody. The key thing for me is that I realize that I’m going to be judged on what our baseball operations do, and I’m going to be the person who is judged the most. I recognize that and I’m very comfortable with that. Accordingly, I’m going to staff accordingly.”