LOS ANGELES - Kevin Brown will skip his scheduled start on Tuesday because of a lower abdominal strain, the latest setback for the Dodgers right-hander.
"It's impossible to try and say. I've never had it, so I don't know," Brown said when asked how long this injury would sideline him.
Former Rays starter Wilson Alvarez will make his first NL start since 1997.
Brown was injured Thursday in the fourth inning of his 7-4 loss to San Diego while running from first to third on a double by Wilkin Ruan. He scored, then pitched one more inning before coming out. An MRI exam on Friday confirmed the diagnosis.
Dodgers manager Jim Tracy hopes Brown will not have to miss more than one start. His next outing is scheduled for July 13 at Colorado.
"He was very sore yesterday. He's better today, but we're not taking a chance on Tuesday. So we're shooting for the 13th," Tracy said.
The 17-year veteran has bounced back from two injury-shortened seasons to go 10-4 with a 2.30 ERA. He appeared to be a shoo-in to make his sixth All-Star appearance on July 15.
"He's very deserving to be on that team, obviously," Tracy said. "As far as his availability to pitch in that game, I'd say 50-50 because of the schedule and when he's scheduled to pitch for this club."
DIAMONDBACKS: Randy Johnson threw 44 pitches in four perfect innings and struck out four for Triple-A Tucson in his first rehabilitation start since knee surgery two months ago.
INDIANS: The contracts of left-hander Jason Stanford and right-hander Jose Santiago were purchased from Triple-A Buffalo and former Rays left-hander Nick Bierbrodt was designated for assignment.
RED SOX: Former Rays right-hander Ryan Rupe was optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket to make room for Ramiro Mendoza, who was on the DL with right knee tendinitis.
TWINS: Leftfielder Jacque Jones (groin) was placed on the 15-day DL, and former Rays infielder Chris Gomez was activated.
YANKEES: Outfielder Bernie Williams was 1-for-2, including a run-scoring double and a run, in the second game of a rehabilitation stint with Double-A Trenton.
OBITUARY: Vince Lloyd, a longtime broadcaster for the Cubs who worked with Jack Brickhouse and Lou Boudreau, died at 86. Mr. Lloyd died Thursday of stomach cancer at his home in Green Valley, Ariz.
