Plans awry, Dodgers bullpen tries to stay one step ahead of chaos

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So much for the best-laid plans of mice and general managers.

When the Dodgers went into spring training, they were confident their rebuilt bullpen would be a 2011 strength. Had it all mapped out.

Maybe they were crossing their fingers on returning Jonathan Broxton as closer, but he was an All-Star coming off a bad half-season. And if he faltered, there was the nearly unhittable Hong-Chih Kuo.

Behind them, the hard-throwing Ronald Belisario. Vicente Padilla would return as the long man. Kenley Jansen was back off his lights-out rookie campaign.

Then there was new addition Matt Guerrier, and even Blake Hawksworth if needed for the middle innings.

Only six weeks into the season, the bullpen is completely upside down. Almost unrecognizable.

Broxton (elbow bruise) and Kuo (anxiety disorder) are on the disabled list, and no one is certain if Kuo will be back this season. Belisario remains in parts unknown, presumably in Venezuela.

Now Padilla is suddenly forced into being the closer, and the bullpen counts on non-roster invitees Mike MacDougal and Lance Cormier, plus perennial prospect Scott Elbert, who left the organization last year because he was stressed. And Hawksworth is battling a groin injury.

The bullpen is all duct tape and bubble gum, as uncertain as they come.

The saddest part is Kuo, who has undergone four elbow operations (including two Tommy Johns) and shown remarkable will in fighting back to his record season last year. Hopefully he overcomes his psychological roadblock and makes it back. He’s still only 29 and deserved more good days.

Bullpens are seldom whole, but the Dodgers’ never will be the one envisioned. They’re like Indiana Jones, making it up as they go along, despite their best-laid plans.

-- Steve Dilbeck