Brown Surgery Goes as Planned

Kevin Brown is expected to be ready for the start of next season after undergoing surgery Thursday to repair a torn muscle in his pitching elbow that became further detached in his attempt to lead the Dodgers to the playoffs.

Team physicians Frank Jobe and Ralph Gambardella, who performed the two-hour procedure at Centinela Hospital Medical Center in Inglewood, said the right-hander did not suffer ligament damage.

Brown, 36, might have been sidelined for the 2002 season if he had needed reconstructive surgery.

“We found exactly what we had anticipated, that the muscle had pulled off the bone of the elbow,” Jobe said. “We put it back, and our anticipation is that he will be OK. He should be able to pitch in spring training.”

Pat Screnar, team physical therapist, said Brown’s elbow would be immobilized in a splint for approximately a week.

If all goes well with range-of-motion and strengthening exercises, Screnar said Brown would begin a throwing program in late December or early January.

Brown will have the splint removed and begin therapy when he rejoins the club in San Diego for the second series of a closing nine-game, 10-day trip. He will continue his rehabilitation at his off-season home in Macon, Ga., occasionally returning to Los Angeles to be evaluated.

Brown, who pitched knowing he had the tear since Aug. 28, finished 10-4 with a 2.65 earned-run average in 20 appearances, including 19 starts. He had 104 strikeouts in 1152/3 innings, and limited opponents to a .224 batting average.

The Dodgers still owe Brown $60 million in the final four years of a seven-year, $105-million contract.