Broadcaster Porter Out for the Season

Dodger broadcaster Ross Porter was resting comfortably Saturday after surgery to correct what team Vice President Derrick Hall said was a leak of fluid between his brain and spine. Porter, who joined the Dodgers in 1977, will not return to work this season. In his absence, the Dodgers will simulcast four innings of Vin Scully’s television broadcasts on radio, and Scully will join Rick Monday on radio-only broadcasts.

Porter, whom Scully said required two operations, is expected to return next season. “It’s a very difficult thing,” said Scully. “Nothing is forever. I was with [former broadcast partner] Jerry [Doggett] for 32 years, just the two of us. It was a big shock when Jerry was no longer here. [He retired in 1987.] Now Ross isn’t here, but at least I know he’ll be back next spring.”

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Statistically, at least, Jim Tracy’s curious move has worked. Since the Dodger manager moved third baseman Adrian Beltre into the leadoff spot 16 games ago, Beltre is batting .306 and the Dodgers are scoring 5.0 runs per game. Before the move, Beltre was batting .255, and the Dodgers had scored 4.7 runs per game. The Dodgers did not ask Beltre to turn into Brett Butler at the plate, and he hasn’t. In the 16 games, Beltre has drawn one walk.

“They told me to be the same batter I’ve been, but I know I have to be more patient,” Beltre said. Tracy said Beltre has been “very successful” as a leadoff hitter, but the Dodgers envision him having the capability to bat in the heart of the lineup as his power develops.

“Power is the last thing to show up, and this guy has tremendous power,” Tracy said. “We’re talking about a guy that could hit 20 to 30 homers every year.”

This year, Beltre is a short-term answer to the question of who could lead off after Tracy decided the Dodgers would be better served with Paul Lo Duca driving in runs from the No. 5 spot instead of scoring them from the leadoff spot. In the long-term, Tracy said, center fielder McKay Christensen is a “very interesting” leadoff candidate, equipped with speed and a good eye at the plate.

The Dodger lineup works well with a center fielder leading off, but getting Christensen into center field next year will require some serious salary dumping. Marquis Grissom, the current center fielder and not considered a leadoff hitter, is guaranteed $5 million next season. Tom Goodwin, the former center fielder and intended leadoff hitter, has not started since Aug. 12 but is guaranteed $3.25 million next season.

TONIGHT

DODGERS’

KEVIN BROWN (8-4, 2.80 ERA) vs.

CARDINALS’

DARRYL KILE (13-9, 2.92 ERA) Dodger Stadium, 5

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

Update: Brown pitched five shutout innings Tuesday, in his first start after six weeks on the disabled list. He threw 68 pitches then and will be limited to 90 pitches tonight. Kile ranks fifth in the National League in ERA.