Things Could Have Been Much Worse For Mark Ellis

Dodgers second baseman Mark Ellis will miss at least six weeks after having fasciotomy surgery on his left leg on Saturday, but it could have been much worse. Trainer Sue Falsone noticed something was wrong while examining Ellis on the training table on Saturday.

"Sue had a funny look on her face and I said, 'I don't like that look on your face,' and Mark didn't either," said manager Don Mattingly. "You could see it was serious."

Mattingly spoke with team physician Dr. Neal ElAttrache who said in a way Ellis was very lucky.

"That's serious stuff. I didn't realize how bad that was. As doc said last night, if that thing goes another six or seven hours we have a chance of losing the leg," Mattingly said. "The muscle basically dies without any blood flow."

Mattingly, bench coach Trey Hillman, and some players visited Ellis in the hospital after Saturday night's win over the St. Louis Cardinals. They said Ellis was in good spirits. He will be hospitalized until Tuesday.

See You Wednesday

Jerry Hairston Jr. will play a pair of rehab games Monday and Tuesday in extended spring training at the Dodgers training facility in Glendale, Arizona, then barring any setbacks regarding his left hamstring will be activated for Wednesday's game in Phoenix against the Diamondbacks.

Guerrier Has Setback

Matt Guerrier has been on the disabled list since April 24 with right elbow tendonitis, but he is still likely at least a few weeks away from returning. He threw his first bullpen session with breaking balls on Wednesday, but had to take three days off before throwing another bullpen session, due to lingering elbow soreness.

General manager Ned Colletti mentioned "early June" as a possible return for Guerrier on Saturday during Fan Fest. Mattingly said that is possible for Guerrier, but it will really depend how his elbow responds going forward until even rehab games can be scheduled.

"He keeps moving forward as long as he can," Mattingly said. "I haven't heard a timetable yet."

Starting Lineups

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TV: ESPN

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