On the same day the Dodgers welcomed left-handed reliever Steven “Paco” Rodriguez to their bullpen, two of their incumbent left-handers drew closer to returning from the disabled list.
Ted Lilly threw a 28-pitch simulated game and reported no pain afterward.
“I should be able to handle throwing 28 pitches after the amount of rest I’ve had,” Lilly said.
Lilly went on the disabled list in May with shoulder stiffness, but lately he’s been more bothered by his back. That injury is “pretty much gone,” Lilly said.
Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said that Lilly’s fastball was clocked around 85-86 mph. He’s averaged 87.5 mph with the pitch this season, according to fangraphs.com.
Scott Elbert made 15 throws off the mound, not at full speed, and said he will throw again Friday after a day of rest. It was the first time he’s thrown since his last appearance in a game on Aug. 26.
Mattingly reiterated his hope that both can pitch again this season.