Vin Scully ranks No. 5 on list of L.A.’s most powerful in sports.

Vin Scully Avenue

Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully smiles as he makes his way to the stage during the Dodgers’ fourth annual FanFest in January. (Keith Birmingham/Staff photographer)

Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully ranks fifth on our annual list of the 50 Most Powerful in Southern California Sports. Scully moved up from sixth on our 2015 list.

The other Dodger folks on our list (last year’s rank in parentheses):
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Chad Billingsley’s right elbow is ‘doing well’ after scare at Rancho Cucamonga.

Chad Billingsley

Dodgers pitcher Chad Billingsley allowed one run in 1 1/3 innings Sunday for Single-A Rancho Cucamonga. (Associated Press photo)

Chad Billingsley threw a curveball Sunday and heard — and felt — a crack in his right elbow.

“When you crack your back or your neck, that’s kind of what it felt like,” he said.

Billingsley motioned for a trainer and left the game immediately. He was supposed to throw two innings in his first rehabilitation start for Single-A Rancho Cucamonga and fell two outs short of the goal.

The 29-year-old pitcher, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery on his right elbow last April, was worried. “I threw a curveball and thought ‘oh my God.'”

After meeting with team physician Dr. Neal ElAttrache, Billingsley was reassured that the sensation was caused by scar tissue breaking up, a normal part of the recovery process. The doctor didn’t even send Billingsley in for an MRI exam.

Tuesday, Billingsley was back in the Dodgers clubhouse. He still hasn’t been cleared for his next bullpen session or rehab start but doesn’t think it will be long.

“It’s actually doing well right now,” Billingsley said. “It feels like normal second-day soreness.”

The original schedule called for Billingsley to make five rehab starts. That hasn’t changed, but a potential return in early May is on hold for now.

“Whenever he gives me the OK, I’ll start back up,” he said.

Chad Billingsley to have Tommy John surgery tomorrow.

Chad BillingsleyChad Billingsley will undergo Tommy John surgery tomorrow, leaving the Dodgers without their fifth starter for the remainder of this season and likely part of 2014.

Team physician Dr. Neal ElAttrache will perform the surgery at the Kerlan Jobe Orthopedic Clinic in Los Angeles.

Billingsley elected to undergo PRP (platelet-rich plasma) injections and rehabilitation after partially tearing the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow last August. He pitched without pain throughout the winter and into spring training until he developed elbow pain during a bullpen session four days ago. An MRI confirmed an injury to the ligament.
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Dodgers pitcher Zack Greinke is trying to learn from his mistakes — three of them, to be exact.

Zack Greinke Carlos Quentin

Dodgers pitcher Zack Greinke said he’s watched replays of last Thurdsay’s brawl in San Diego. (Associated Press)

Say this much for Dodgers pitcher Zack Greinke: He’s trying to learn from his mistakes.

Mistake one: October 11, 2011. On the eve of the National League Championship Series between Greinke’s Brewers and the St. Louis Cardinals, Greinke was asked about Cardinals right-hander Chris Carpenter.

“They think his presence, his attitude out there sometimes is like a phony attitude,” Greinke told reporters in Milwaukee. “And then he yells at people. He just stares people down and stuff. And most pitchers just don’t do that. And when guys do, I guess some hitters get mad. Some hitters do it to pitchers. But when you do that some people will get mad.

“There’s other pitchers in the league that do it, but, I don’t know,” Greinke said, “a lot of guys on our team don’t like Carpenter.”

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Carl Crawford’s opening day is in jeopardy.

Carl Crawford’s status for Opening Day is in jeopardy after the Dodgers’ left fielder was diagnosed with nerve irritation in his left arm. He will not be able to throw or hit for seven days.

“It challenges Opening Day,” Dodgers manager Don Mattingly told reporters in Glendale.

Crawford flew to Los Angeles on Thursday night to have his elbow examined by team physician Dr. Neal ElAttrache.

The club said the irritation developed from increased intensity hitting live pitching and is not uncommon for a player attempting to return from Tommy John surgery. Dr. James Andrews performed the surgery on Crawford’s left (throwing) elbow last August.