Dodgers add left-hander Scott Elbert for San Francisco series. Update.

Scott Elbert

Scott Elbert (left) and A.J. Ellis (right) were drafted by the Dodgers in 2004 and 2003, respectively. (Getty Images)

SAN FRANCISCO >> Scott Elbert rejoined the Dodgers here Friday, two years and 17 days after throwing his last major-league pitch. Elbert joins J.P. Howell as the only left-handers in the Dodgers’ bullpen.

Elbert began the 2014 season on the 60-day disabled list following Tommy John surgery in June 2013. He was further set back by appendicitis earlier this year.

The Dodgers opted to designate Elbert for assignment in June once his rehab at Triple-A Albuquerque was complete. Elbert went unclaimed and remained in Albuquerque. In 18 games with the Isotopes, he allowed 17 hits and eight earned runs in 14 ⅔ innings, a 4.91 earned-run average.

Elbert will wear number number 57, the same number he’s worn since making his major-league debut with the Dodgers in 2008.

To make room for Elbert on the active roster, the Dodgers designated pitcher Red Patterson for assignment.

Continue reading “Dodgers add left-hander Scott Elbert for San Francisco series. Update.” »

Scott Elbert throws a scoreless inning for Single-A Rancho Cucamonga.

Dodgers pitcher Scott Elbert threw a 10-pitch scoreless inning Friday for Single-A Rancho Cucamonga.

The left-hander induced an infield popout, a groundout and a flyout to center field against the Lancaster JetHawks.

It was the seventh minor-league game Elbert has appeared in since his rehabilitation began June 18. Elbert began the season on the 60-day disabled list as he attempts to return from Tommy John surgery last year.

Scott Elbert is ‘on the move and feeling good,’ Onelki Garcia not so much.

Remember Scott Elbert?

Left-handed pitcher. Had Tommy John surgery in June of last year. Had his appendix removed earlier this year. Stuck in extended spring training ever since, out of sight and out of mind.

Scott Elbert threw two bullpen sessions in extended spring training recently and hasn’t had any setbacks since, Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said. His fastball, which has averaged 92.1 mph in 120 career games, touched 90 mph on the radar gun during a recent live batting practice session.

“Scottie’s on the move and feeling good,” Mattingly said.

Could a minor-league rehab outing be next?

“I would think that he’s heading that way,” Mattingly said. “There’s been no talk about it. I think he’s a little bit behind Bills.”

Billingsley said Sunday that he could make five rehab starts, starting Saturday, before returning to the majors.

The news wasn’t as good on Onelki Garcia, another left-handed pitcher taking up space on the Dodgers’ 60-day disabled list.

Garcia underwent a procedure last November to remove bone spurs from his left elbow, and another in February to repair torn cartilage in his left knee.

Of Garcia, Mattingly reported “a lot of setbacks, one after the other.”

Reports: Dodgers to re-sign J.P. Howell for two years, $11.25 million, plus option.

J.P. HowellJ.P. Howell will return to the Dodgers for at least two years, according to multiple reports Monday, with the two sides compromising on a third-year option that would pay Howell more than any left-handed reliever on the market this year.

The contract reportedly guarantees Howell $11.25 million through 2015. The third-year option, worth $6.25 million, vests if he makes 120 appearances over the next two seasons. It’s a realistic benchmark for Howell, who appeared in 67 games in 2013, going 4-1 with a 2.18 earned-run average.

In total, the 30-year-old has the potential to earn $17.5 million over the life of the contract – $1 million more than the Rockies gave lefty specialist Boone Logan over the next three years.

Continue reading “Reports: Dodgers to re-sign J.P. Howell for two years, $11.25 million, plus option.” »

Daily Distractions: Tender deadline looms at 9 p.m. tonight.

Ronald Belisario

Dodgers catcher A.J. Ellis (left) and pitcher Ronald Belisario (right) are both arbitration eligible. (Associated Press photo)

By 9 p.m. tonight, A.J. Ellis, Clayton Kershaw and Kenley Jansen will have been tendered a contract by the Dodgers. That much we know. The deadline for teams to tender a contract to their arbitration-eligible players is fast approaching, and the Dodgers won’t leave Kershaw, Ellis and Jansen behind.

We don’t know how much the Dodgers will offer each player, how much they’ll ultimately sign for, or if Ronald Belisario — the final remaining member of the Dodgers’ arbitration-eligible class — will get an offer at all. MLBtraderumors.com made some predictions here.

So far, the Dodgers have only dipped into the free-agent market for a starting pitcher, Dan Haren. But they had enough interest in adding a right-handed reliever that they were among the first teams to offer a contract to Joe Smith. Smith ultimately signed a three-year, $15.75 million contract with the Angels.

Did the Dodgers hope to replace Belisario with Smith, a sinker/slider pitcher who rarely exceeds 90 mph on the radar gun? Or do they still see a need for a power arm to complement Brandon League, Chris Withrow, Jose Dominguez, and any other right-handers who might be in the mix for 2014?

Belisario’s lousy September (7.94 ERA, .842 opponents’ OPS) obscured what was previously a solid year. Statistically speaking, the Dodgers had one of the National League’s better bullpens in 2013. Bringing back everyone, or attempting to, isn’t out of the question.

Three other arbitration-eligible Dodgers already agreed to contracts for 2014. Scott Elbert signed for $575,000 for 2014 with up to another $100,000 in possible incentives on the table. Drew Butera and Mike Baxter both signed for $700,000.

That’s three down, three (or four) to go.

Some bullet points for a Laotian National Day:
Continue reading “Daily Distractions: Tender deadline looms at 9 p.m. tonight.” »