Nationals 11, Dodgers 4
Yhency Brazoban, who left after facing three batters and failing to retire any of them, will have an MRI tomorrow to determine the cause of pain in the back of his right shoulder. The good news is, it isn't his elbow. The bad news is, it still doesn't look good. And neither does the rest of the Dodgers' bullpen, which got hammered tonight. The interesting thing was that the only relievers who didn't get into the game were Takashi Saito, who would never be used in a game like this anyway, and Chad Billingsley. Could that mean Billingsley is the guy for the fifth spot? Quite possibly, because now, the Dodgers might need to add a 12th pitcher just to bolster the pen after tonight's game. That wouldn't be Hong-Chih Kuo, because he is starting at Las Vegas. Dodgers fall to 31-22. Arizona was off, so the D-back pull even. San Diego scored two in the ninth to tie the Pirates. If the Pods win, it will be a three-way tie for first.
Tony Jackson is in his fourth season covering the Dodgers for the 
Comments
If Brazoban's MRI is bad and he's DLed, perhaps that makes Kuo starting on Saturday a done deal, with Billingsley staying in the pen instead of starting Saturday? Tsao's not healthy yet and I don't imagine Ned/Grady wanting to bring up someone like Houlton for bullpen depth.
Posted by: El Lay Dave | May 31, 2007 7:39 PM
Darkhorse bullpen candidate: Jonathan Meloan.
He's not on the 40-man, but they can just put Repko on the 60-day DL to make it work.
Posted by: Marcel | May 31, 2007 7:46 PM
well if the BP keeps dropping like flies, anything is possible...
This better be the last start Hendy makes a dodger...its ridiculous to keep throwing him out there.
Posted by: J.L. | May 31, 2007 7:54 PM
I think it is Hendrickson's last start, at least for now. Grady didn't really answer when we asked after the game. If he was staying in the rotation, he would have said that. What he offered were typical Grady vaguaries. We know what they mean, and he know we know what they mean. You know what I mean?
Posted by: tony jackson | May 31, 2007 9:21 PM
Hey Tony, in light of Hendricksons poor performance, do you think that Management will forgo Schmidts next rehab start and bring him up?
Posted by: Jonathan Strawsburg
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May 31, 2007 9:55 PM
Hey, Tony
Love the blog, great stuff. Just want to point out that Olmedo Saenz is 8 for 10 with 2 HR's and 5 RBI's against Zach Duke. It would be interesting to see if Grady finds a place for him in the lineup. And if he doesn't could you ask him why he wouldn't put in someone with those numbers? Thanks.
Posted by: Alex41592 | June 1, 2007 12:17 AM
Tony, have you heard any more about Sammy Saito's stiff shoulder? Is he ready to go again?
Posted by: El Lay Dave | June 1, 2007 12:23 PM
According to Ken Gurnick, Saito's ok: "Takashi Saito did not pitch in the three-game series with the Nationals after alerting the staff about shoulder fatigue over the weekend, but he's available to pitch."
Posted by: El Lay Dave | June 1, 2007 12:33 PM