Dodgers P Brown done for 2002 season

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 16 (UPI) -- Los Angeles Dodgers Manager Jim Tracy Monday said veteran starting pitcher Kevin Brown, who has dealt with lower back soreness all year long and was forced to have surgery in June, will not pitch again this season.

Last Tuesday, Brown gave up five runs and six hits in five innings of a 5-2 loss in San Francisco. After informing team medical officials of the soreness, he received an epidural injection Thursday to relieve the pain.

Since the injection, Brown reported no improvement, forcing Tracy, General Manager Dan Evans and the team's medical staff to tell Brown Monday afternoon that he will be shelved for the balance of the campaign.

"I'm frustrated and disappointed that I haven't been able to help the team," Brown said. "They're having a great season, and I haven't been able to help the guys out. As far as right now, it doesn't feel good."

The 6-4, 195-pounder had been scheduled to pitch against San Francisco at Dodger Stadium on Wednesday, but Tracy said Kevin Beirne will start that game against the Giants.

Brown, 37, has been sidelined by an array of injuries over the last two years, and he underwent surgery June 11 for a herniated disk. That's the area of his back in which he has been experiencing residual soreness.

Tracy said Brown will not throw, under any circumstances, for the rest of the season, even if the Dodgers wind up going deep into the playoffs.

"All I know is, I hope they get that far," said Brown, who was 3-4 with a 4.81 ERA in 17 games this season, seven out of the bullpen.

"He doesn't feel well enough to play catch," Tracy said. "The way he feels right now, I won't compromise him or the rest of his teammates. He's aware of that. I won't send a guy out there who is less than what he's capable of being."

Brown, one of five players in major league history to represent four different teams in the All-Star Game (Texas Rangers, 1992, Florida Marlins, 1996-97, San Diego Padres, 1998 and the Dodgers, 2000), has a career record of 183-122 with a ERA of 3.22 and 2,079 strikeouts. In the 2000 and 2001 seasons, he combined for a record of 23-10.

Brown, who was in the fourth year of a seven-year, $105 million contract, also underwent elbow surgery last September.