Ramon Troncoso's comeback bid for Dodgers will have to continue in the minors

Once he was this great find, this surprising sensation who had unexpectedly made himself a valuable part of one of baseball’s best bullpens.

Then … what?

Ramon Troncoso still looked the part of a great, young, right-handed reliever early in 2010. Then it began to slip away, and he has struggled ever since to find himself.

Even after a strong start this spring, he could not keep it going. And on Sunday, he was optioned back to the minors.

This hardly means the end for the 28-year-old Dominican, but he will once again have to try to right himself at triple-A Albuquerque, something he could never truly do there last season (5.73 ERA, 1.55 WHIP).

There had been concern that Joe Torre had gone to him too often last April (15 appearances in a 21-game stretch, though only 13 innings) and worn him out.

Then Troncoso had started so well this spring (no earned runs in his first 4 1/3 innings), it appeared he was back on track. Some already gushed he had made the team.

But in his last five appearances, he gave up six earned runs (10.80 ERA) and was once again headed back to the minors.

Since the Dodgers released Ron Mahay and optioned Travis Schlichting back to the minors Saturday, the final bullpen spot will apparently come down to left-hander Scott Elbert or right-hander Lance Cormier.

The Dodgers would prefer to have Elbert as a second lefty in the bullpen, but after an encouraging stretch he gave up three runs in one-third of an inning Saturday and now has a 7.50 ERA this spring.

In eight innings this spring, Cormier has a 2.25 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP.

-- Steve Dilbeck

Tim Redding not expecting to be sidelined

A day after he was removed from a game because of back pain, fifth-starter candidate Tim Redding said he was able to throw without any discomfort.

Redding said he expected to throw a bullpen session Sunday, as was previously scheduled.

Redding said he started feeling pain in the lower-right area of his back in the second inning of the Dodgers' 6-3 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday. He left the game in the fourth inning.

John Ely, the Dodgers' other fifth-starter candidate, was optioned to minor-league camp, where it will be easier for him to remain on a starter's schedule. The Dodgers don't need a fifth starter until April 12.

In other news, the Dodgers reassigned Eugenio Velez to minor-league camp and granted Ron Mahay his release.

The Dodgers' lineup Saturday versus the San Diego Padres in Peoria:

Rafael Furcal SS
Xavier Paul LF
Andre Ethier RF
Matt Kemp CF
James Loney 1B
Juan Uribe 3B
Rod Barajas C
Jamey Carroll 2B
Clayton Kershaw SP

-- Dylan Hernandez, reporting from Phoenix

Photo: Tim Redding delivers a pitch Friday against the Diamondbacks. Credit: Chris Morrison / US Presswire

Dodgers' bullpen yet to come into clear focus

It looked like a closed shop. All polished and refitted, the Dodgers bullpen seemed without vacancy.

After a disappointing 2010 (4.07 ERA, 1.35 WHIP), the relief corps entered the spring with every position seemingly spoken for.

Then down went Vicente Padilla. And off to the Venezuelan never-never land remained Ronald Belisario.

Suddenly there were two open spots. Still, there seemed a reasonable wealth of capable arms in the wings. Anyway, it kinda seemed that way.

Now the Dodgers are five days from breaking camp, and easy answers to fill the bullpen void are still hard to come by.

When camp opened, the bullpen seemed set with Jonathan Broxton, Hong-Chih Kuo, Kenley Jansen, Matt Guerrier, Blake Hawksworth, Padilla and Belisario. The only mini-suspense was supposed to be if Hawksworth could hold off left-handers Scott Elbert or Ron Mahay for the final spot.

Hawksworth, who is out of options, seems secure. But those other two spots? Check in daily.

Early on Ramon Troncoso looked like he might be returning to his 2009 form. He did not allow a run in his first four appearances, causing newbie Dodger Talk co-host Joe Block to declare he had made the team.

Yet more evidence against putting much stock into early spring results. In the four innings of Troncoso’s next four games, he gave up six runs (13.50 ERA). His overall spring ERA is now 6.23 and he’s far from a lock to be in Dodger Stadium on opening day.

The one reliever who has stepped up is veteran Mike MacDougal, unscored upon in eight appearances (7 1/3 innings). His ability was never questioned, but his control was an on-going issue. He has allowed only three hits and four walks.

If he continues anywhere near this pace, it’s hard to see MacDougal failing to make the final 25-man. Final, meaning until three days into the season when someone gets hurt.

The Dodgers would still prefer -- or anyway, should prefer -- the final spot go to a second left-hander to complement Kuo. Mahay, however, has struggled (10.70 ERA). Which once again, takes the Dodgers back to Elbert.

For several reasons, the Dodgers would very much like the former first-round pick to make the team, but they aren’t about to give it to him after his disappointing act last season. And Elbert has continued to have control problems.

But he might be forging a modest comeback. Tuesday with runners on the corners and the Dodgers leading the Cubs 1-0 in the seventh, they brought in Elbert with two outs. After falling behind 2-0 to Tyler Clovin, he came back to strike him out.

The only other candidate keeping himself in serious contention is Lance Cormier, who after giving up solo runs in his first two spring outings, hasn’t allowed a run in his last four appearances.

Elbert, Cormier, Troncoso? Opening day is March 31, and relievers are running out of time to make their case. And again close the shop.

-- Steve Dilbeck

Who is going to seize the day for Dodgers?

We’ve got almost three more weeks of this? What are the Dodgers trying to do, bore us to death?

At this rate, somebody is going to have to wake me March 31 for the season opener. It’s not like spring training tilts to high drama, but precious little is going on with the Dodgers on and off the field. Unless you count starting pitchers going down.

It would be easier to put up with the annual spring mid-game lineup shuffle if there were several battles taking place, but like it or not, on the position side the Dodgers are pretty set.

Which is not to say, there aren’t many opportunities available for players to impress for later, to alleviate concerns going into the season or even outright win a job.

Veteran, established players can take a different approach, but for many spring is a time to step up and make their case. And here are a few players I’d like to see a little carpe diem from over the next 19 days:

Jay Gibbons:The Dodgers are planning on him as their starting left fielder against right-handers, which means in theory, he’ll start more often than not. It’s a risk to count on a 34-year-old based primarily on 75 late-season at-bats after being out the majors for two years. So far this spring, Gibbons is one for 17.

Juan Uribe: OK, he is a veteran and his spring doesn’t really mean anything, but considering he is the Dodgers’ only semi-major off-season position acquisition, it would be nice to see him do something better than two for 14.

Dioner Navarro and A.J. Ellis: Ellis probably isn’t in a fair fight for the backup catcher’s spot, but Navarro is off to a slow start (two for 15) and leaving the door open. Ellis, however, is only three for 15 himself.

Xavier Paul: The outfielder is out of options and needs to beat down the door, convincing the Dodgers they need to hang on to him. The Dodgers are giving him the opportunity (he has the sixth-most at-bats on the team), but so far he is batting .158 (three for 19).

Trayvon Robinson: He has almost zero chance of making the team out of camp, but he does have an opportunity to convince the Dodgers he would be a safe call-up later and a prospect to truly watch. So far, he’s batting .200 (four for 20) and has yet to walk.

Ivan DeJesus Jr.:It's not like he's stinking it up in the early going (.263, same as his on-base percentage), but I was hoping he'd tear it up this spring and force himself onto the team, maybe even as a starting second baseman, moving Uribe to third. So far, that's not happening.

Jonathan Broxton: Already chronicled, but providing a slight bit of peace of mind would be nice. Also a first strikeout.

Ron Mahay and Scott Elbert: I don’t care what Don Mattingly says, the Dodgers need a second left-hander in the bullpen. And one of these two needs to step up.

-- Steve Dilbeck

Are the Dodgers ready for Elymania II?

Could it happen? Sure. Is it likely? No, but he’s at least building a case and causing the Dodgers to seriously think about him again.

John Ely was a brief sensation last year, answering the team’s ongoing call for a fifth starter and responding better than anyone had dared dream. Better than Ned Colletti, Joe Torre, Ely and Ely’s mommy dreamed.

During six consecutive starts from May 6 to June 1, he was 3-1 with a 1.80 ERA. He went 89 consecutive batters without allowing a walk. You kept blinking wondering if it were true.

And then it all came undone, as if Salvador Dali had suddenly taken control of Ely's pitching landscape. In his last 11 starts he went 1-8 with a stunning 8.00 ERA, including 32 walks in 54 innings.

He clearly was not the same pitcher, which is why he was ticketed for a return to triple-A Albuquerque this season.

Yet in his first three appearances this spring, he has yet to allow a run. And he is throwing strikes -- the key to his early success last season. He has yet to walk a batter and has seven strikeouts in six innings.

OK, so six spring innings amounts to precious little, but if he continues anywhere near this pace, he will pitch himself back onto the 25-man roster.

There’s no room in the rotation, but with Vicente Padilla injured and Ronald Belisario doing his annual visa dance, there are two unexpected openings in the bullpen. And Padilla was supposed to start the season as the long man.

Ely could certainly fill that role if he’s truly back on his game.

There’s reason to think he could be too. Last year he appeared to wear down and then completely lost his way. Remember, this was a 24-year-old who, aside from a couple early appearances at Albuquerque, had never pitched above double-A until last season. He had only been in the minors three years and had never thrown as many as 160 innings in any season.

Now he has a fresh start, a fresh arm and the unexpected experience from last season. The opportunity is there for him to pitch himself back onto the team.

Don Mattingly keeps saying he is not interested in keeping another left-hander in the bullpen just for the sake of a second lefty, which would only help Ely’s cause. The competition is still thick -- Ramon Troncoso, Mike MacDougal, Lance Cormier, Scott Elbert, Ron Mahay, Carlos Monasterios and now Tim Redding are all in the mix.

Ely is never going to light up the speed gun, but he proved last season that when he pitches with control, he can be highly effective. When he doesn’t, he looks overmatched.

In three early appearances this spring, he has had that control.

-- Steve Dilbeck

Dodgers Web musings: Farewell to Garret Anderson, in the head of Matt Kemp, Rod Barajas feels at home

Garret Anderson officially retired Tuesday.

That might have been one year too late for most Dodgers fans, but the outfielder put together an impressive career.

Last season, Anderson’s only one with the Dodgers, he quickly seemed past his prime. To everyone, maybe, but Joe Torre and Anderson.

In 155 at-bats until released his release Aug. 10, he hit just .181 with a .271 slugging percentage. His best years were clearly behind him, though they were very good years (.293/.461 for his career).

Also on the Web:

--St. Petersburg Times’ Marc Topkin says Manny Ramirez is impressing the Rays with -- are you ready? -- his hustle.

--The Times’ Dylan Hernandez says catcher Rod Barajas grew up in Norwalk dreaming of being a Dodger.

--Sports Illustrated’s Joe Posnanski has a lengthy piece examining Duke Snider, questioning those who doubted his greatness.

--ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick tries -- with great effort -- to understand where Matt Kemp is headed.

--In the company of Frank McCourt: The New York Post writes that the Mets are desperately seeking a new loan. JPMorgan lent the Mets $430 million last year and MLB lent the team $25 million at the end of last year.

--True Blue L.A.’s Eric Stephen takes a look at reliever Ron Mahay, comparing him to Kenley Jansen in that he also made a late switch from position player to pitcher.

--Sports Illlustrated’s Jon Heyman writes that Don Mattingly is the right man at the right time to lead the Dodgers.

--Fox Sports’ Tracy Ringolsby writes that it isn’t only the Giants’ young pitchers who are coming of age, but now their hitters, too.

--MLB.com’s Ken Gurnick writes that Jamey Carroll is well past getting down about not starting.

--Steve Dilbeck

Turns out the Dodgers are an old story

The Dodgers unexpectedly have an age-old problem.

They are an old team. Graybeards with gloves. Guys closer to swinging a walker than a bat. They don’t need human growth hormone, they need Celebrex, and an updated retirement program.

This goes against everything we’ve been told about the Dodgers for the past several years, which is part of the problem. Years go by, and the young aren’t so young anymore. Or at least so I’m told.

Of the 23 Dodgers you could reasonably expect to make their final roster, only two are younger than 26.

That’s it, two -- Clayton Kershaw (23 on March 19) and Kenley Jansen (23).

The average age of those 23 Dodgers is over 30.

That young core of offensive players is now down to three -- Matt Kemp (26), James Loney (26) and Andre Ethier (29 on April 10).

Otherwise the Dodgers' daily starting lineup is expected to have a 35-year-old catcher (Rod Barajas), a 31-year-old second baseman (Juan Uribe), a 37-year-old third baseman (Casey Blake), a 33-year-old shortstop (Rafael Furcal), and a 33-year-old (Marcus Thames) and soon-to-be-34-year-old (Jay Gibbons, happy birthday on Tuesday) splitting time in left.

Mr. Utility is 37-year-old Jamey Carroll. The frisky backup catcher is a 27-year-old kid, Dioner Navarro.

The rotation has 26-year-old Chad Billingsley and Kershaw, but also 31-year-old Jon Garland, 35-year-old Ted Lilly and 36-year-old Hiroki Kuroda.

The bullpen has 26-year-old Jonathan Broxton and Jansen, but also 28-year-old (happy birthday today) Blake Hawksworth, possibly 28-year-old Ramon Troncoso, 29-year-old Hong-Chih Kuo, 32-year-old Matt Guerrier, and eventually the allegedly 33-year-old Vincente Padilla.

And then still fighting to earn final spots are 34-year-old Aaron Miles, 35-year-old Gabe Kapler, 35-year-old (on Friday) Mike MacDougal, 38-year-old Juan Castro and 39-year-old Ron Mahay.

Geritol all around!

So much for those young Dodgers. Ah, youth, where does it fly?

These guys don’t relate to Don Mattingly, they relate to Tom Lasorda. Or John Glenn. These Dodgers are older than a Charley Steiner one-liner.

The problem with all this, of course, is that older players are more likely to break down. They end up looking for love more often in the whirlpool than the batter’s box.

And for the most part, the guys backing up the old starters are even older reserves. Old teams can still win, but they can also tag-team it to the disabled list.

Forget that youthful Dodgers routine. Old news.

-- Steve Dilbeck

Top photo: Juan Uribe. Credit: Jake Roth / US Presswire

Middle photo: Teddy Lilly. Credit: Kyle Terada / US Presswire

Bottom photo: Casey Blake. Credit: Jake Roth / US Presswire

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

Dodgers add second lefty to bullpen mix: Ron Mahay signs minor-league deal

Left-handed relievers never die, they just go on to the next team.

Ron Mahay’s next team is now the Dodgers, who signed him Thursday to a minor-league contract with an invite to spring training.

Despite having more rings circling through him than a redwood, this is a pretty decent late signing for a team in dire need of a second left-hander for the bullpen.

Mahay, 39, appeared in 41 games last season for the Twins, ending the season with a 3.44 ERA and 1.21 WHIP.

Left-handers hit just .209 against him. For his career, lefties have batted .232.

And it’s been some career. The Dodgers will mark his ninth team in 15 seasons.

The Dodgers currently have only one left-hander in the bullpen, Hong-Chih Kuo, whose elbow is what you might call on the delicate side.

Signing Mahay to a minor-league deal is something of a no-lose deal. If the Dodgers decide to go with two lefties, Mahay would have to beat out Scott Elbert to make the team. Elbert missed more than half of last season with an undisclosed personal issue.

If Kuo ends up having to close, a second lefty would be essential. Even if he doesn’t and they start the season with just Kuo in the bullpen, it would be nice to have Mahay down in the minors.

Of course, if he or Elbert make the team, then some right-hander could become trade bait. All right-handed relievers close to the bubble are out of options and one of them would have to be squeezed out.

-- Steve Dilbeck