Erik Bedard begins rehab with Single-A Rancho Cucamonga.

Erik Bedard

Dodgers pitcher Erik Bedard missed more than two months with a strained left teres major muscle.


Veteran left-hander Erik Bedard began his comeback trail with the Dodgers on Monday.

Starting for Single-A Rancho Cucamonga in a rare afternoon California League game, Bedard allowed four hits, a walk, and three runs in the first inning against the San Jose Giants. After that, Bedard pitched three scoreless innings and scattered two hits.

The four-inning start was the first at any level for Bedard since two months ago in spring training.

The Dodgers signed Bedard, who made 15 starts last year for the Tampa Bay Rays, to a minor-league deal with an invitation to spring training in January. Bedard actually started the Dodgers’ Cactus League opener but was sidelined by a strained left teres major muscle three weeks later. The 36-year-old remained in Glendale, Arizona to continue his rehab at extended spring training.

Given Bedard’s long track record, and the fact that two-fifths of the Dodgers’ projected starting rotation has been lost for the season, Bedard still could be a factor for the Dodgers in 2015 if he’s healthy.

Monday was only his first step back, and even manager Don Mattingly didn’t know what was next for Bedard. Check back in five days; a second rehab start would constitute progress.

This entry was posted in JP on the Dodgers, On The Farm and tagged , by J.P. Hoornstra. Bookmark the permalink.

About J.P. Hoornstra

J.P. Hoornstra covers the Dodgers, Angels and Major League Baseball for the Orange County Register, Los Angeles Daily News, Long Beach Press-Telegram, Torrance Daily Breeze, San Gabriel Valley Tribune, Pasadena Star-News, San Bernardino Sun, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, Whittier Daily News and Redlands Daily Facts. Before taking the beat in 2012, J.P. covered the NHL for four years. UCLA gave him a degree once upon a time; when he graduated on schedule, he missed getting Arnold Schwarzenegger's autograph on his diploma by five months.