Manny back with teammates

ESPN and the L.A. Times have reported this morning that Manny Ramirez met with his Dodgers teammates at their south Florida hotel. As of yet, there hasn’t been any word of what Ramirez said, although you can expect some details to start trickling out in a couple hours, when the team is at the park and the Dodgers’ clubhouse is opened. Manny, it seems, still isn’t ready to explain himself to the public…

Milton up, McDonald down, Weaver out

The Dodgers have purchased the minor-league contract of Eric Milton, who will start Saturday’s game in place of Jeff Weaver. James McDonald and his 6.75 ERA have been sent to Albuquerque. After being sent to the bullpen, McDonald allowed one earned run in five appearances (4 1/3 innings). Weaver made two five-inning starts in place of McDonald. Here’s the story from the Associated Press…

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Eric Milton is heading back to the big leagues after a nearly two-year absence.
The Dodgers purchased the contract of the veteran left-hander from Triple-A Albuquerque after their 5-3, 10-inning win over the Phillies on Thursday.
Milton will start Saturday against the Florida Marlins in place of Jeff Weaver. The Dodgers optioned right-hander James McDonald (1-1, 6.75 ERA) to their Pacific Coast League club.
The 33-year-old Milton hasn’t pitched in the majors since elbow ligament replacement surgery in 2007. The former All-Star is 3-2 with a 2.83 ERA in seven minor league starts. Milton has an 87-84 record in 10 major league seasons, including a no-hitter for Minnesota in 1999 against the Angels.

Broxton’s scoreless streak ends, but he wins

Jonathan Broxton coughed up a two-run lead in the ninth, and allowed his first earned run since April 11, but the Dodgers rallied for two in the 10th inning to beat the Phillies 5-3. Broxton got the win — and Ramon Troncoso picked up his second save with a scoreless 10th. Broxton had tossed 13 consecutive scoreless innings.

Overall, it was a decent series for the Dodgers’ bullpen, with four earned runs in nine innings. Are you satisfied with what you’ve seen out of the pen so far? Next up, a series against the offensively-mediocre Marlins, so the bullpen will get the chance to shine again.