Dodgers Complete Comeback Against 'Stros

The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Houston Astros 4-3, splitting the series two games apiece. Houston opened up with a three-run lead after the third inning, but the Dodgers scratched back for two runs before tying the game in the seventh on two errors by pitcher Alberto Arias. In the eighth, Matt Kemp homered with two out to give the Dodgers the lead for good. Jonathan Broxton rebounded from a tough outing yesterday to get his 22nd save. Kemp also doubled and scored all four runs, and Brad Ausmus doubled twice, driving in Kemp both times. Andre Ethier had three hits, and Rafael Furcal had an RBI. Michael Bourn doubled and scored a run for the Astros, and Geoff Blum hit a two-run homer.

Orlando Hudson injured his left wrist after bumping into Astros pitcher Russ Ortiz while running to first. It is the same wrist that Hudson underwent surgery on after he injured it last season. However, the Dodgers are saying the injury was sustained in a different area, and it is not serious. He is listed as day-to-day, and will have X-rays.

In addition to Jason Schmidt, who will make his first start since 2007 tomorrow against the Reds, two other Dodgers are on the verge of returning from the disabled list. Hong-Chih Kuo is making progress in his rehab starts, and Doug Mientkiewicz is ready begin his rehab and could be back in a matter of weeks.

Dodgers Promote Weaver

The Los Angeles Dodgers purchased the contract of minor-league pitcher Jeff Weaver to help contribute to a thin bullpen and even spot-start. Weaver has been stellar for Triple-A affiliate Albuquerque, with an ERA of 3.55 in 12.2 innings for the Isotopes, striking out 12 while walking just two. Consequently, Scott Elbert was demoted to Double-A Chattanooga. Elbert gave up five runs in less than seven innings, translating into a 7.11 ERA. Corey Wade was activated from the disabled list, and Doug Mientkiewicz was put on the 60-day DL to make room for Weaver. Blake DeWitt was optioned to Albuquerque to make room for Wade.

DeWitt Replaces Mientkiewicz

Doug Mientkiewicz was placed on the 15-day disabled list today after he dislocated his right shoulder sliding into second-base in the Dodgers' win over the Giants. Blake DeWitt will take his place in the roster after being called up from Triple-A Albuquerque. DeWitt beat out Xavier Paul for the spot, despite the fact that Paul is batting .571. Mientkiewicz will undergo surgery after an MRI revealed his shoulder was completely dislocated, with part of the labrum pulled off, according to Tony Jackson of the LA Daily News. The team trainer estimates it will be at least three months before Doug can return, while Joe Torre and Ned Colletti believe September is more likely.

Stults Gets Plenty of Support in Win

The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the San Francisco Giants 7-2, completing the three-game sweep of their bitter rivals. Eric Stults pitched five innings, allowing just two runs on five hits and three walks to get the win. Rafael Furcal hit a leadoff home run on the third pitch of the first inning, and Matt Kemp hit an RBI-triple and scored two runs. Casey Blake drove in two runs, and Doug Mientkiewicz had a pinch-hit, two-run double. However, on his slide into second, Mientkiewicz dislocated his right shoulder, and he is most likely going to the disabled list. The Giants hit just 1-for-10 with runners in scoring-position. Emmanuel Burris had three hits for San Fran, including a double, and scored a run.

Roster Moves: Belisario Joins Team

The Los Angeles Dodgers made last minute changes to their 25-man roster before their win against San Diego, including the promotion of Ronald Belisario to the major-league club. Belisario was an afterthought when he joined the club in Spring Training, even missing time due to visa troubles in his native Venezuela. The Dodgers also purchased the contracts of minor-leaguers Will Ohman and Doug Mientkiewicz, bringing them up to the big-leagues. To make room for the promotions, LA put Claudio Vargas on the 60-day disabled list and Delwyn Young on the 15-day DL. Greg Miller was released in order to make room on the 40-man roster.

Roster Moves: DeWitt Stays, Lindblom Goes

The Dodgers made more roster moves in preparation for the season opener. They sent Josh Lindblom, Brian Mazone, Juan Castro, Erick Threets and Luis Maza to the minors, specifically sending Lindblom to Double-A to be a starter. Blake DeWitt made the major-league roster, as well as Will Ohman, Ronald Belisario, and Ramon Troncoso. Doug Mientkiewicz is expected to make the roster tomorrow, but first the 40-man roster needs to be worked out so that he, Belisario, and Ohman can join the roster. Jason Schmidt was put on the 15-day disabled list, and Tanyon Sturtze was sent to the minors.

Dodgers News: Bench Mob, Ardoin is Cut, and Goodbye Arizona

The Los Angeles Dodgers fell to the San Francisco Giants 10-8, their last game in Arizona. Bench favorite Doug Mientkiewicz hit a two-run bomb, and Juan Castro had a double and homer. Juan Pierre had three hits, including a double, and Jason Repko knocked in two and scored a run. Hiroki Kuroda had his last tune-up before the season begins, allowing just one run in three innings. Hong-Chih Kuo pitched a perfect inning, and Eric Milton gave up eight runs in less than three innings, including two homers.

The Dodgers designated Danny Ardoin for assignment. Ardoin spent most of last season as Russell Martin's backup after Gary Bennet hit the DL. He has ten days to either accept his assignment in Triple-A or become a minor-league free agent.

This was the Dodgers' last game in Arizona. They will play three exhibition games at Dodger Stadium, one against the Angels and two against Milwaukee, then go to San Francisco to play a game against the Giants.

The Dodgers sent Eric Milton to Triple-A, and notified Tanyon Sturtze that he is on the bubble. Milton came into Spring Training as a candidate for the fifth-starter spot, but a 10.07 ER knocked him out of the race. Sturtze is still a possibility of joining the bullpen, but if he doesn't he will be sent to the minors as well.

Dodgers News: Silent Bats, Elbert's Demoted, and Blake is not Back

The Los Angeles Dodgers fell to the Chicago White Sox 6-1, their 16th loss of the spring. Manny Ramirez and Rafael Furcal both had two hits and a walk, and Andre Ethier reached base twice. There were no extra-base hits for LA. Randy Wolf pitched five solid innings before cracking under pressure and allowing four runs in the sixth. Guillermo Mota struck out two to relieve Wolf, and Jonathan Broxton pitched a scoreless inning.

Doug Mientkiewicz is turning heads in the organization. So much so that he could make the opening-day roster as a backup. Joe Torre has expressed his desire to have versitility on the bench, which helps Mientkiewicz. He can play all corner infield and outfield positions.

The Dodgers optioned Scott Elbert to minor-league camp. Elbert is a left-handed prospect who joined the team last year in mid-season and acted as a reliever. He will be a starter in Triple-A.

Casey Blake was not in today's lineup. He left Arizona on Thursday to go home for the birth of his third child. There is no real timetable for his return, though he is expected to be back by tomorrow.

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: Manny Being Manny, Schmidt Gets Work, and J-Bro Has Bad Return

The Los Angeles Dodgers fell to the Seattle Mariners 8-6, their 13th loss of the spring. Clayton Kershaw pitched five-and-a-third innings, giving up only two runs and three hits while striking out six. Hong-Chih Kuo pitched a scoreless inning. Manny Ramirez had his first home run of Spring Training, and Casey Blake and Brad Ausmus also hit solo shots. Doug Mientkiewicz had a two-run double, and Andre Ethier and Orlando Hudson both hit doubles.

Jason Schmidt and Shawn Estes both pitched in a minor-league game against the Milwaukee Brewers. Schmidt threw three innings and gave up two runs. Estes relieved and allowed two unearned runs in one inning.

Jonathan Broxton returned to camp after spending the last few weeks with Team USA of the WBC. Broxton gave up four runs in less than an inning of work, getting the blown save and the loss.

Since the Brewers will not use the DH rule in tomorrow's game, Manny Ramirez is expected to start in the outfield.

Dodgers News: McDonald Makes Case for Fifth, Blake Sees New View, and Broadcaster is Announced

The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Cleveland Indians 6-4, their win of the spring. Doug Mientkiewicz came up a home run short of the cycle, getting a single, double, and triple with two RBI's. Russell Martin had a two-run homer, and Juan Castro had a double, run scored, and RBI. James McDonald had his first start with the Dodgers, and pitched three hitless innings, allowing only a walk and inserted his name in the contest for the fifth starting pitcher in the rotation. Shawn Estes gave up two runs in less than three innings, and Scott Elbert gave up a run in one inning of work.

McDonald made the start in place of Hiroki Kuroda. Kuroda pitched in a minor-league game instead.

Eric Collins was announced as the Dodgers' new play-by-play man for road games. Collins will call games on the road outside the NL West for TV affiliates FSN and KCAL 9.

Casey Blake played in his first game against the Cleveland Indians. Blake spent his entire major-league career with Cleveland, and went to the ALCS in 2007 with them. Blake was acquired from the Indians in the middle of last season for two prospects, and was later resigned in the off-season to shore up the infield.

Dodgers News: LA Bites Snakes, Abreu is Out, and Paul is In

The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks 6-3, their seventh win of the spring. Casey Blake slugged a solo homer, and Matt Kemp had a 2-run home run. Brad Ausmus had two hits, including a double, and James Loney had two hits, two RBI's and a run scored. Juan Pierre tripled and Orlando Hudson scored a run. Hiroki Kuroda pitched three-and-two-thirds scoreless innings with six strikeouts, and has not given up an earned run all spring. Jeff Weaver gave up a run in his only inning, and Guillermo Mota pitched a scoreless inning, striking out two.

The Dodgers will have tomorrow off, and will play an exhibition against Team Korea on Thursday. Manny Ramirez is expected to make his debut that day.

Tony Abreu is no longer a candidate for a utility role with the big-league club. Abreu strained his groin during Spring Training, and hasn't played in a game since. He is improving, but due to his lack of playing time (he was out all last season with sports hernia and hip surgery), he will play in the minors. Juan Castro, Blake DeWitt, Hector Luna, and Doug Mientkiewicz are all candidates for the utility-man spot. Chin-lung Hu, normally a defensively-gifted middle infielder, has made too many errors to be in the running.

Xavier Paul is a strong candidate for the fourth outfield spot if Juan Pierre is traded. Paul is batting .406 in Spring Training with 10 RBI's, one homer, two triples, and three doubles. Juan Castro's bat is making him the favorite to become a utility infielder. Castro has a .524 batting average with a home run and five doubles.

Dodgers News: Cubs, Cuts, and No Manny Yet

The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Chicago Cubs 5-4, improving their Spring record to 5-4. Randy Wolf threw three scoreless innings, and Jeff Weaver gave up two hits and a walk but no runs in two innings. Doug Mientkiewicz had his second home run in as many days, and Brad Ausmus had an RBI. Delwyn Young hit a two-run double. Juan Castro, Matt Kemp, and James Loney each had a hit and a run.

The Dodgers cut several players from the Spring Training roster. Greg Miller, Justin Orenduff, Ronald Belisario, Yhency Brazoban, and Jacobo Meque were all sent to minor-league camp.

Blake DeWitt played another game at shortstop, with Mientkiewicz starting the game at third-base.

Mark Sweeney retired from baseball, and joined the Dodgers as an assistant coach. Sweeney will work with players during pre-game workouts in the regular season, serve as a Spring Training instructor, and act as a liaison between the advance scout and the Dodgers, including for series preparations. Sweeney joined the club in 2007 in a trade with the Giants, and hit .154 last season. He is the second all-time pinch-hitter with 175 pinch-hits. Sweeney joins all-time pinch-hitting leader Lenny Harris and third-place Manny Mota to give the Dodgers a coaching staff with the three greatest pinch-hitters of all-time.

Manny Ramirez is expected to play his first game on Thursday in an exhibition against a World Baseball Classic team to be determined.

Dodgers News: Power Bats, Injured Players, & New Acquisition

The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the rival San Francisco Giants 16-7, their first official win in the Cactus League. Russell Martin homered and drove in 3 runs, and LA had a 5-run second inning and a 6-run ninth. Chin-Lung Hu had a 3-run homer, and Valentino Pascucci had a home run as well. Orlando Hudson played his first game with the club, getting a hit and a run. Randy Wolf pitched 2 perfect innings, and Jeff Weaver pitched a scoreless third. Jonathan Broxton gave up a run, and Guillermo Mota gave up 2 hits but held the Giants scoreless in 1 inning.

Andre Ethier and Casey Blake both suffered minor injuries. Ethier has a sore heel, and Blake pulled a groin muscle. Both are expected to return quickly.

The Dodgers signed veteran 1B Doug Mientkiewicz to a minor-league deal. Mientkiewicz is a Gold-Glove fielder and hit .277 last season in Pittsburgh.

Manny Ramirez is expected to respond to the Dodgers' offer by Friday.