Garciaparra has been on the disabled list since April 26 with a strained left calf, while Jones, acquired as a free agent in the offseason, has been on the DL since May 25 with a right knee injury. Both started rehab assignments with Triple-A Las Vegas on Monday, with Garciaparra going 5-for-8 with an RBI and Jones 4-for-8 with a homer and three RBIs.

"They're both ready to go," manage Joe Torre said.

With a roster full of injured players, Torre will no doubt be glad to have the former All-Stars back on the field.

Garciaparra will play shortstop in place of Rafael Furcal, who is out at least eight weeks following surgery to repair a herniated disc in his back. Garciaparra has not played short since Aug. 21, 2005 with the Chicago Cubs.

Jones, meanwhile, will fill in for fellow outfielder Juan Pierre, who hurt his left knee on Sunday.

The Dodgers (41-44) are also hoping the pair can jump-start an offense that ranks among the worst in the majors with 4.09 runs per game. However, Los Angeles has already shown signs of shaking its offensive woes, scoring 16 runs while winning its last three games.

The Dodgers beat Houston 5-2 on Thursday to win their second straight series. Andre Ethier homered for the second straight game and James Loney also connected for Los Angeles, which trails NL West-leading Arizona by 1 1/2 games.

"We played these last three games with just a sense of determination," Torre said. "I just have a good feel about how we've gotten after it."

Veteran second baseman Jeff Kent left Thursday's game with a stiff back, but Torre hopes to have him back for the series opener.

The Giants (38-48) split a four-game series with the Cubs, winning 8-3 on Thursday. Rich Aurilia hit a three-run homer, his first as a pinch-hitter since 2003, after San Francisco scored four runs in the second inning.

Ray Durham was 4-for-11 (.364) in the series and is 14-for-43 (.326) with a homer and 10 RBIs all-time against Derek Lowe (5-8, 3.88 ERA), who starts the opener for Los Angeles.

Lowe gave up one run in seven innings Sunday, but was outdueled by John Lackey in a 1-0 loss to the Angels. The right-hander fell to 1-3 over his last four starts and has gotten just five runs of support in those games.

Lowe is 3-5 with a 3.38 ERA in 11 career starts against the Giants. He gave up two runs in six innings without getting a decision in Los Angeles' 3-2 home win over the Giants on April 1.

San Francisco counters with Jonathan Sanchez (8-4, 3.79), who was named NL player of the week after going 2-0 with a 1.23 ERA. The left-hander gave up one run in seven innings of Sunday's 11-1 win in Oakland, improving to 6-1 with a 3.06 ERA over his last eight starts.

"I'm more comfortable with getting on top of the ball in my delivery," he said. "I'm getting ahead of guys and getting better with my command."

Sanchez has not received a decision in four appearances - one start - against the Dodgers, but owns a 3.72 ERA against them.