No major surprises as Dodgers cut to 25-man roster, elect to go with three catchers

There were no real surprises when the Dodgers announced their 25-man roster to open the season after Wednesday’s game.

Of course, as the five Dodgers who will start the season on the disabled list start to trickle back in early April, more bodies will get shuffled.

For now, three nonroster invitees ended up making the team -- relievers Mike MacDougal and Lance Cormier, and infielder Aaron Miles.

The bullpen, infield and outfield pretty much fell into to place as expected. The only mild surprise was the decision to go with three catchers.

A.J. Ellis and Hector Gimenez both made the opening-day roster, meaning veteran outfielder Gabe Kapler was released. Manager Don Mattingly said General Manager Ned Colletti still planned to meet with Kapler, 35, to see if there is a mutual interest in his playing at triple-A Albuquerque.

Gimenez mostly made the team because the Dodgers liked his bat, but he can also play first and dabbled some this spring in the outfield.

"We’ve been trying to build with pitching and defense," Mattingly said. "Ellis knows our staff, knows our guys. Hector did a good job too, he just doesn’t know the staff as well."

Dodgers web musings: Future of `young core' with team could be on the line this season

Since no big superstar arrived to the rescue during the offseason, the Dodgers’ outcome this year will largely depend on how Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier, James Loney and Jonathan Broxton rebound from a disappointing 2010.

But personally, they could be playing for even more. Broxton can become a free agent after this season, and Kemp, Ethier, Loney and Chad Billingsley are eligible the following season.

ESPN/LA’s Ramona Shelbourne points out all will have to play well to make their individual case they should be re-signed. She said this season will go a long way in determining which players will make themselves part of the team’s long-term future.

Also on the web:

-- The Times’ Dylan Hernandez said Kemp has earned positive reviews this spring in his efforts to rebound.

-- Mike Scioscia’s Tragic Illness’ Mike Petriello is being won over by the play of Tony Gwynn Jr. this spring, and given the team’s configuration, thinks he could answer several problems.

-- The Dayton Beach News-Journal’s Sean Kernan, via Roberto Baly, writes on the 65th anniversary of when Jackie Robinson played his first exhibition game and broke baseball’s color barrier in spring training.

-- Baseball Savvy’s Howard Cole continues his profiles of Dodgers bloggers with an in depth look at the prolific, two-jobs Jon Weisman of ESPN/LA.

-- Dodgers.com’s Ken Gurnick takes a look at catcher Hector Gimenez, this season’s unknown Venezuelan discovery by Ron Rizzi, who is making an unexpected roster bid.

-- Albuquerque Baseball Examiner’s Christopher Jackson, via Petriello, writes that Jon Link is not all that thrilled with being turned into a starter.

-- True Blue LA’s Eric Stephen profiles Dodgers injured starter Jon Garland.

-- MLB Network, via Weisman, has what it says is unprecedented film footage of Dodgers Hall of Fame right-hander Dazzy Vance from 1924.

-- The Dodgers have a new business/marketing partner -- El Zarco Tequila.

--Steve Dilbeck

Photo: Last April, James Loney, left, and Matt Kemp were congratulating Andre Ethier, right, for a game-winning home run in the 10th inning against Arizona. Will these celebrations continue long term? Credit: Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times

Russ Mitchell, Jon Link among Dodgers' latest cuts

Sixteen days until the Dodgers' season opener and the roster cuts are starting to add up.

As spring training innings become more precious, the Dodgers moved four more players back to the minors Tuesday morning. None had been threatening to make the final 25-man roster.

Still, it's hard to report this as addition by subtraction.

Corner infielder Russ Mitchell, whom Manager Don Mattingly had previously identified this spring as his longer-term replacement for James Loney at first, was optioned back to the minor league camp along with reliever Jon Link. Nonroster players J.D. Closser and Ramon Colon were reassigned to the minors.

Mitchell, 26, is another middling prospect having trouble making that final jump to the majors. A September call-up last year, he started 11 games (six at third) and batted .143 with a pair of home runs and four RBI in 42 at-bats.

Link, who turns 27 next week, came to the Dodgers with John Ely in last year's trade for Juan Pierre. The right-hander was called up four times last season from triple-A Albuquerque. In six appearances for the Dodgers, he had a 4.15 ERA and a 1.85 WHIP in 8 2/3 innings.

Closser, 31, is a switch-hitting catcher without much power. Colon, 31, is a right-handed reliever who pitched last season for the Royals.

There are now 44 players remaining in big league camp, 21 pitchers and 23 position players.

-- Steve Dilbeck

Once again Dodgers prove an old baseball adage true

Which is … you can never have too much pitching.

Not in April, not in the middle of summer, not in the postseason and not -- it turns out -- before the first full-squad workout.

Position players were still squeezing into their uniforms for the first time this spring, when they looked around their clubhouse and saw three relievers were already down.

Out were Vicente Padilla (elbow), Dana Eveland (hamstring) and Ronald Belisario (head).

Padilla was a lock to make the club, and Belisario was at least penciled in, so there are two openings in the bullpen that didn’t figure to be there when camp opened.

If the Dodgers open the season with seven relievers, locks are Jonathan Broxton, Hong-Chih Kuo, Matt Guerrier, and now, probably Blake Hawksworth.

Kenley Jansen, whom the Dodgers might have been tempted to start the season at triple-A to hone his still raw closing skills, now appears in a good position to make the season-opening 25-man roster.

Which at the very least still leaves two positions open. And there is always the possibility the Dodgers might temporarily elect to start the season with eight relievers.

That leaves an open field for the rest of the contenders -- Ramon Troncoso, Ron Mahay, Lance Cormier, Scott Elbert, Mike MacDougal, Jon Link, and later, Eveland. And if they wanted a long reliever, Carlos Monasterios or John Ely.

Now that three-year, $12-million deal for Guerrier is looking better, not to mention that constant late addition of veteran, if uncertain, arms.

If the first five are in, then there is still an obvious need for a second left-hander in the bullpen. That would give an edge to Mahay, Elbert and Eveland.

But newbie manager Don Mattingly has said he will take the best arms and not get locked into having to take a second lefty. That could bode well for Troncoso, who at least had a terrific 2009 and start to last season before quickly going downhill.

None of the leading right-handers, however, has a particularly impressive history against left-handed hitters -- MacDougal (.274 batting, .421 slugging), Cormier (.271, .428) or Troncoso (.268, .425) -- so one left-handed reliever figures to emerge.

So as camp opens, competition is on in at least one area. The guys who have the best springs figure to earn opening-day roster spots. Retreads and the unproven, you're all up.

Of course, with almost six weeks to go, more injuries and sore arms remain to be discovered.

-- Steve Dilbeck

Photo: Matt Guerrier. Credit: Hannah Foslien / Getty Images

The managerial career of Don Mattingly begins in Arizona Fall League

Baby steps, you take them where you can.

And for Don Mattingly, the Dodgers’ rookie manager-in-waiting, his first steps came in Phoenix on Tuesday.

There were a lot of players most people have never heard of, including Mattingly. They played before the first of many minuscule crowds, with results few will ever hear of or care about.

It’s the Arizona Fall League, where they play a 32-game schedule made up mostly of better prospects from the upper minors. There are six teams, each made up of a combination of different organizations’ prospects to form a 35-man roster.

"Just learning the guys’ names has been a battle," Mattingly toldKen Gurnick of Dodgers.com. "We've had workouts for five days and it's a little like a quick spring training. And for me, it's been good.

"Now I've got to do it all.  Just like the players, I've got things to get better at.  And just like them, at the end of the season you're beat up and you haven't been home and you might not be looking forward to another eight weeks, but for me, logistically, it's good to make the decisions and run the games, from writing the lineup card to making the day's schedule."

His debut Tuesday ended in an 8-3 loss to the Mesa Solar Sox. There were no reports of his presenting the wrong lineup card or making two trips to the mound in one visit or trying to convince Jonathan Broxton he really, really is the closer.

Six different major league teams contributed players to the Desert Dogs. The Dodgers prospects playing for Mattingly are Jerry Sands, Ivan DeJesus Jr., Trayvon Robinson, Scott Elbert, Jon Link, Justin Miller, Javy Guerra and Matt Wallach.

Elbert is a left-hander who was the Dodgers’ minor league pitcher of the year in 2009, but he left triple-A Albuquerque for an unspecified personal issue on June 10, was placed on the inactive list and did not return all season. He pitched one inning Tuesday, allowing a run on one hit and one walk.

The main focus, of course, will be on Mattingly, who has never managed at any level. At least until Tuesday. The Dodgers hope he gets a few bugs out, feels more comfortable and is ready to lead the Dodgers come February.

Mattingly said the Dodgers needed to improve their mental toughness.

"I think we create an environment where it's asked for," Mattingly told ESPN/LA.com’s Tony Jackson. "You can't really ask for it in words, but in what you ask them to do. This game is a battle and it's a grind. You know you're going to have PFP (pitchers' fielding practice) almost every day in spring training, and you know what, you're going to be a little tired of it by Day 10.

"Those are the days when you have to push a little bit more and think, 'If I do this right every time here, I'm going to do it right in the games.'  That's toughness for me. You have to push for that and ask for that, and I think you create that by the environment that you set and the consistency with which you keep going after it."

For now, Mattingly will practice his steps with the Desert Dogs. The pressure is on too -- they’ve won five of the last six AFL titles.

-- Steve Dilbeck

Dodgers discover a new low -- losing 10-2 to leave the Giants in first place

Lose enough games and you’ll suffer your share of indignities. Moments that haunt or embarrass or humble.

The Dodgers have learned that all too well this season, yet Thursday in San Francisco produced a new candidate for their season’s ultimate indignity:

Pushing the archrival Giants back into first place.

The Dodgers were fairly manhandled by the Giants, who pushed them around for a 10-2 victory Thursday that left San Francisco a half-game ahead of the Padres in the National League West.

The Giants haven’t been in first place since May 6.

Apparently, they just needed another shot at the Dodgers. Alas, Thursday was their last meeting. Now the Giants will have to find someone else to pick on.

The Giants took two of three in the series, and the season series 10-8. The next time they meet will be April Fool's Day, when the Dodgers open next season. Ah, next season …

The Dodgers completed their longest trip of the season at 3-7, continuing to wilt down the stretch.

They could do little with Giants starter Jonathan Sanchez (11-8), who had a career-high 12 strikeouts in seven innings. He gave up four hits and did not walk a batter.

The Dodgers got an unearned run in the first and a solo home run by Russell Mitchell -- snapping his 0-15 streak to start his major league career -- in the fifth.

And that was it. Oh, and Ryan Theriot snapped his 0-for-27 streak.

Meanwhile, the Giants pounded the Dodgers, then pounded them some more. Then for fun, just a little more. Their 15 hits included three home runs, two triples and three doubles.

Ted Lilly was the only starter in the three-game series who wasn’t on his game.

Lilly (8-11, 5-3 as a Dodger) lasted just 3 1/3 innings, surrendering six runs on seven hits, including a pair of home runs in the Giants’ four-run third inning.

That put the Giants up 5-1, and the way the Dodgers' offense has been going, ended the fog-shrouded evening’s suspense.

Aubrey Huff and Buster Posey all took Lilly deep, and then Jose Guillen did the same off Jeff Weaver. It was a party in San Francisco.

The Giants added a couple more against rookie reliever Jon Link.

Then the first-place Giants called it a night, won a season series against their rivals for the first time in five years, and sadly waved goodbye to the Dodgers.

-- Steve Dilbeck

Photo: Dodgers catcher Rod Barajas heads to the mound to talk to starting pitcher Ted Lilly in the third inning on Thursday night. Credit: Kyle Terada / US Presswire

Dodgers call up five from triple-A Albuquerque -- including John Lindsey after 16 seasons in the minors

They were five names scribbled on a crumpled piece of paper. Joe Torre sat in the dugout Sunday, scanned the list and read them off, one by one ...

John Ely, Jon Link, John Lindsey, Chin-lung Hu and Russell Mitchell.

They are the next wave of September call-ups who will be joining the Dodgers from triple-A Albuquerque on Monday in San Diego.

One name stopped everyone for a moment -- Lindsey.

"Now there's a great story," Torre said.

For Lindsey, Monday will mark the apex of a journey most would have given up on years ago, countless rejections ago.

Lindsey has spent 16 years in the minor leagues without getting a sniff of the majors. No current player has spent more time in the minors without so much as a September call-up.

But Lindsey, 33, a first baseman/designated hitter, finally earned his call-up by leading the Pacific Coast League in hitting (.356) and slugging percentage (.663). He also had 25 home runs and 97 RBIs.

Originally drafted by the Colorado Rockies in 1995, he has bounced around seven times between different organizations, including a 2006 stint with the independent New Jersey Jackals. To that point, he’d never played above double A.

Lindsey was ready to give up on his baseball dream after his time with the Jackals, and he returned to his home in Hattiesburg, Miss. He enrolled in the local community college and began making plans for life after baseball.

But a call from Lorenzo Bundy, a former Rockies instructor but then the manager of the Dodgers' triple-A team in Las Vegas, convinced him to give it another try.

Now, after four seasons at triple A -- including one with the Florida Marlins' affiliate last season -- Lindsey will finally get to walk into a clubhouse as a major leaguer.

Monday also will mark the first trip to the majors for Mitchell. A third baseman, he joined Lindsey on the all-PCL team. A 15th-round pick by the Dodgers in 2003, he hit .315 with 23 home runs, 38 doubles and 86 RBIs in his first year at triple A.

-- Steve Dilbeck

On second thought, Dodgers decide John Ely could use some time in Albuquerque; Jon Link called up

About that Joe Torre comment that struggling John Ely would remain in the rotation … yesterday’s news.

By Sunday Ely was headed back to triple-A Albuquerque and the Dodgers had called up reliever Jon Link.

Just when you thought the rotation might actually be settled, new upheaval. Some themes just won’t go away.

Torre said Saturday after the Dodgers’ 7-3 loss to the Cubs, he planned to stick with Ely. But then came a conversation with general manager Ned Colletti and new plans were hatched.

"We just decided he needs to get back on track," Torre said. "And in talking to John today, he certainly understood that. He’s going down there with the attitude we need him to have."

Ely was terrific in his first seven starts (2.54 ERA), but has mostly struggled since. In his last two starts, he couldn’t pitch out of the third inning.

"I’m not getting the job done," Ely said.

Because of the All-Star breaking beginning Monday, the fifth starter in the Dodgers rotation isn’t scheduled until July 19 against the Giants.

"By the time we get there, we’ll have one," Torre said. "Right now, today, we talked about JMac [James McDonald], who’s pitching today. We’ll see what that looks like.

"If we need to go bullpen for that particular day, we will. But we have a little time before we have to make that decision."

Sunday, McDonald allowed one run on four hits in 6 1/3 innings in a 2-1 Albuquerque victory over Omaha. He walked four and struck out two. He is 5-1 with a 4.73 ERA overall, but has a 2.70 ERA in his last three games since a stint the disabled list with a strained hamstring.

Torre said if the Dodgers elect to make it a bullpen start, rookie Carlos Monasterios could get the call. Monasterios (3-2, 3.91 ERA) previously started six games this season.

Right now, however, the Dodgers have an extra reliever for Sunday’s game against the Cubs and for the four games in St. Louis when they return from the break.

Then McDonald, who was the team’s fifth starter coming out of camp last year before struggling (1-1, 8.78 ERA in four starts), is likely to get the start against the Giants.

-- Steve Dilbeck

Dodgers finally face the facts: Charlie Haeger designated for assignment, Jon Link called up

The Charlie Haeger  experiment came to a belated end Friday when the Dodgers designated the right-hander for assignment prior to their game with the Yankees.

The Dodgers filled his spot by calling up right-hander Jon Link from triple-A Albuquerque.

Haeger had a disappointing run with the Dodgers and exits with an 0-4 record and 8.40 earned-run average  in nine appearances, six of them starts. The Dodgers kept returning to the knuckleballer as a fifth starter largely because their rotation has been so depleted.

But with Chad Billingsley due off the disabled list Monday and John Ely having secured one spot in the rotation, the need for Haeger has passed.

He pitched 4 2/3 innings Wednesday against the Angels in Anaheim, and left with a 6-4 lead. Ironically, it was his best start since his first one on April 11.

Haeger is out of options and can become a free agent. The Dodgers offered to sign him to an Albuquerque contract, but Haeger said he was uncertain what he would do.

Link was 2-1 with a 4.26 ERA and four saves at Albuquerque.

This will be his third stint with the Dodgers this season. He has a 4.15 ERA in four appearances, but is without a decision.

Link came to the Dodgers with Ely in the offseason trade of Juan Pierre to the White Sox.

-- Steve Dilbeck

Despite pitching better, Charlie Haeger may have run out of time with Dodgers

And now to ponder the unthinkable: Do the Dodgers now keep Charlie Haeger?

They’ve stuck by him through his horrendous start, but now that he pitches decently -- we’re talking comparatively here -- are they going to let him go?

Logically, it would seem time to designate him for assignment. Chad Billingsley is scheduled to be activated Monday, so room will have to be made.

If it’s going to be Haeger, it would be better to do it prior to Friday’s game and bring up a Jon Link or someone who might be useful this weekend against the Yankees, rather than wait until Monday.

Manager Joe Torre said he was uncertain what would happen next with Haeger.

"I don’t know," Torre said. "We have to see what our needs are. We have Billingsley coming back on Monday, so we’re just taking this a day at a time right now."

With his 0-4 record and 8.53 ERA, the Dodgers basically started Haeger on Thursday night out of desperation. With Carlos Monasterios and Billingsley on the disabled list and the system devoid of quality starters, Torre went back to his failed experiment.

Although Haeger’s final numbers looked familiar -- four runs on five hits and four walks in 4 2/3 innings -- this was actually his best start since his first one on April 11.

If Ramon Troncoso could actually do his job -- he allowed both base runners to score when he relieved Haeger -- then the knuckleballer exits having allowed only two runs.

"I feel like I battled out there tonight," Haeger said. "I felt like I gave it everything I could out there tonight. I felt into a game, for the first time in a while. I felt good."

Haeger actually had good success with his slider, relying less on just his knuckleball and fastball.

Haeger is out of options, and if the Dodgers designate him for assignment, he could be claimed by another club. That doesn’t seem like much of a danger, given his current 8.40 ERA.

Still, it’s possible he pitched just well enough Thursday to intrigue some pitching-desperate club. I mean, even more desperate than the Dodgers.

If he goes unclaimed, he could accept a minor-league assignment with the Dodgers, which, given their lack of starting depth, they would almost certainly offer.

Haeger is as uncertain about what will happen as anyone.

"I have no idea," he said. "It’s not my job to make those decisions. I’ll come to the ballpark and get ready like I’m going to start in five days. That’s the only thing I can do."

The only way he stays in the rotation is if the Dodgers decide to send John Ely, who has options left, back down. Given that Ely has had some terrific outings and, after a rough stretch, pitched well in his last start, that seems highly unlikely.

They could keep Haeger as long man, but he’s been so unreliable, that’s a gamble. And it would likely mean sending down Justin Miller, who’s been reasonably effective.

Or Haeger could come down with another bout of plantar fasciitis, although at some point Major League Baseball has to say enough.

Haeger stuck with the Dodgers longer than he had a right to, but finally the stars are not aligning for the right-hander. After 12 weeks of trying to make it work, he may have run out of time.

-- Steve Dilbeck