Random updates on various stuff

Jason Schmidt had a good day today, threw 73 pitches in an extended spring training game and felt good afterward, according to Stan Conte, who added that Schmidt will make AT LEAST one more start at extended before embarking on a minor-league rehab. … Hiroki Kuroda is still having pain in his left side, so he has no chance of coming off the DL when he becomes eligible next Wednesday. It’s still a short-term injury (they hope), but Stan said he will need at least one minor-league rehab start to make sure he’s ready because this type of injury has a tendency to come back. … Ethier’s return to the cleanup spot appears to be temporary, and it’s based on the fact he is hitting .593 (16 for 27) for his career against Matt Cain, tonight’s starter for the Giants. … Also, Tony Abreu is going to be out for a WHILE. He was on crutches for a week after he suffered the injury. Stan saw him last weekend when the Dodgers were in AZ and said he was doing better, but he also said these injuries are typically three- to six-week deals.