Dodgers turn to minor leagues as injuries mount up
With eight starting pitchers in their employ on opening day, rotation depth figured to be the least of the Los Angeles Dodgers' concerns. Yet even with a $217 million payroll, the club found itself dipping into the minor leagues for a starter — right-hander Stephen Fife — three weeks into the season. Paste BN Sports' Gabe Lacques looks at the club's not-so-great eight:
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Pitcher: Clayton Kershaw
What's happened: Same as he ever was: 1.88 ERA in four starts.
Outlook: They are going to sign him to a long-term deal, right?
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Pitcher: Zack Greinke
What's happened: Broke his left collarbone taking on a bull-rushing Carlos Quentin.
Outlook: Should be back in June, assuming he doesn't join the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
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Pitcher: Chad Billingsley
What's happened: Placed on disabled list with more elbow pain.
Outlook: Platelet-rich plasma treatments only delayed a trip to the disabled list; Tommy John surgery might be next.
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Pitcher: Josh Beckett
What's happened: Two so-so starts, one fabulous start and one clunker.
Outlook: Expect more of the same this year and next, at $15 million a year.
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Pitcher: Hyun-jin Ryu
What's happened: Won two of his first four starts, striking out 26 in 24 2/3 innings.
Outlook: Ryu has impressed at times, but facing teams a second and third time might prove more of a challenge.
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Pitcher: Chris Capuano
What's happened: On the disabled list because of a calf injury aggravated during the Greinke-Carlos Quentin showdown.
Outlook: Once seen as strong depth, he lasted two innings in his lone start but should figure in the mix again.
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Pitcher: Ted Lilly
What's happened: He has been rehabbing a shoulder injury in the minors, then was summoned when Greinke and Capuano went down.
Outlook: Lilly, 37, felt he was ready sooner, but the club kept him down for another rehab start. Wednesday, they have no choice but start him in a game that counts, against the New York Mets.
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Pitcher: Aaron Harang
What's happened: Trade bait all winter, he was finally dealt to the Colorado Rockies on April 6 for catcher Ramon Hernandez.
Outlook: The Rockies then sent him to the Seattle Mariners, though, the Dodgers could use him.