The Dodgers announced before today's game that Vicente Padilla will have neck surgery on Thursday, and miss an "extended period of time." It will be the second surgery this season for Padilla, who has been active for a total of just under three weeks this season.

Padilla, who also missed most of the last six and a half weeks last season with a bulging disc in his neck, does not appear likely to hit any of his contract incentives. His contract calls for a $2 million base salary this season with several incentives for both starting and relieving, but he is far away from reaching any of them. So far, Padilla has pitched in nine games in relief this season, finishing four games, with a 4.15 ERA and three saves.

Padilla's lowest incentives are:

• $250,000 for 40 games pitched in relief
• $750,000 for 30 games finished
• $150,000 for 35 games "which he enters games with the Dodgers leading by three or fewer runs" (he has eight such games so far)

Padilla missed 68 games on two different DL trips last season, and tonight is his 49th game missed in 2011.