LOS ANGELES -- The Dodgers selected the contract of minor-league slugger Scott Van Slyke before their game Friday with the Miami Marlins to try to add a little pop to their struggling bench. He is the son of longtime major-league outfielder Andy Van Slyke.
Clayton Kershaw is the kind of pitcher who can soothe a lot of stressed-out baseball fans and team executives. You know what else can calm down a group of people whose heads are spinning over the sudden churning up of the Los Angeles Dodgers' pitching depth?
The math is elementary. Eight minus four equals worrisome. The Los Angeles Dodgers figured they had eight starting pitchers when they got back from Arizona. Seven of them made the Opening Day roster and one, Ted Lilly, would continue building up his arm strength while on the disabled list.
LOS ANGELES -- Even entering this season of soaring expectations, the Los Angeles Dodgers left many people in baseball wondering how a team with a record payroll could have so many unanswered questions.
LOS ANGELES -- Things were quiet at Dodger Stadium Monday night, particularly when the home team was batting with runners on. The Los Angeles Dodgers managed to keep their tempers in check a few days after a brawl with the San Diego Padres that cost them pitcher Zack Greinke, but their bats remained stuck on silent mode in a 6-3 loss.
Chad Billingsley didn't seem to miss a beat after an eight-month layoff, and some struggling hitters began to shake off their slumps as the Los Angeles Dodgers held on for a 4-3 win over the San Diego Padres at Petco Park Wednesday night.
In a radio interview with ESPN's Colin Cowherd on Wednesday morning, Dodgers manager Don Mattingly called pitchers Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke his, "1 and 1-A." That's a pretty strong entry, of course, but the Dodgers are hoping their rotation doesn't drop off after it to a field of longshots.
LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Dodgers' pitching staff is close to being at full strength. Chad Billingsley made his final minor-league rehab start for Rancho Cucamonga on Thursday night and is scheduled to come off the disabled list to pitch Wednesday's game in San Diego.
The Dodgers found a way to keep all three of their extra starting pitchers when they cut down their roster, but it seems unsustainable in the long run. Ted Lilly, on the disabled list, wouldn't even comment when asked where he would next pitch and clearly isn't happy about being on the DL.
LOS ANGELES -- Dodgers pitcher Chad Billingsley looked sharp against Milwaukee Brewers' Triple-A players Friday, pitching six innings while allowing a run and four hits and striking out six batters. It's looking more and more likely Billingsley will be healthy to start the season, but the Dodgers won't need to use him until April 15 because they have two open dates early.
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