Dodgers News: Manny's Perfect, Gagne Makes Appearance, and Billingsley has Session

The Los Angeles Dodgers fell to the Kansas City Royals 4-1, their 15th loss of the spring. Hiroki Kuroda pitched more than five innings despite giving up four runs on eight hits. Jeff Weaver struck out the side in his only inning of work. Manny Ramirez had three of the Dodgers' five hits in three at-bats. Doug Mientkiewicz had the only RBI for the team.

Chad Billingsley pitched a full bullpen session and feels fine. Billingsley suffered a strained right groin while pitching in a game. He expects to pitch in a simulated game and still be ready for his April 8th start in San Diego for the regular season.

Joe Torre has decided Manny Ramirez will bat third in the regular-season lineup. Manny will bat cleanup after Rafael Furcal and Orlando Hudson.

Eric Gagne made a brief appearance at the Spring Training complex today. Gagne is a free-agent recovering from a tear in his right rotator cuff. He signed a minor-league deal with the Milwaukee Brewers, but was cut due to his consistent health problems.

Dodgers News: Surprise Surprise, Lindblom Blossoms, and Manny Might Be Back

The Los Angeles Dodgers fell to the Kansas City Royals 9-4, despite scoring three runs in the first inning. Claudio Vargas started his first game for LA, pitching three innings and only allowing one run on three hits and two walks. Eric Milton gave up 8 runs, including a six-run fifth inning, but just one of those runs was earned. James Loney, Delwyn Young, and Blake DeWitt each had an RBI in the first, and DeWitt had three hits.

Josh Lindblom had a good debut for the big-league club after being promoted. He pitched two scoreless innings, allowing only one hit and striking out three.

Manny Ramirez may be close to returning to the lineup. Manny could DH in Monday's game against the Angels. He is currently healing a tight left-hamstring which he aggravated in Sunday's game.