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As the Dodgers prepare to open a four-game series with the Cardinals, a trio of sidelined pitchers are trying to make their way back. Here is an update on their progress.
Kenley Jansen will meet with team doctors on Friday, in hopes of getting taken off blood thinners. If all goes as planned, Jansen will be ready to pitch by Tuesday, when the Dodgers begin their 10-game road trip in Washington D.C. against the Nationals.
Scott Elbert, who has been on the disabled list since August 29 with left elbow inflammation, will throw a simulated game Friday, his second this week. Manager Don Mattingly said Elbert could be activated as early as this weekend. "If he's good, we'll probably roll with him," Mattingly said.
However the news wasn't as good for Ted Lilly, who was scratched from his scheduled simulated game on Thursday. Instead, Lilly will meet with team doctors tonight to discuss his options. Mattingly didn't call Lilly's scratch a setback, but didn't sound like someone expecting Lilly to be activated any time soon.
"I think we should let him see the doctor tonight and see where he's at with it all," Mattingly said. "Teddy's been trying to push through and get ready, but he starts to weigh the options of what's worth it."
Mattingly said that outside of activating Elbert, he did not anticipate any other roster additions (Jansen technically, is not on the DL), and specifically mentioned that he didn't think Scott Van Slyke, who is on the 40-man roster, would be called up.
Starting Lineups
Mattingly flipped Andre Ethier and Shane Victorino in the second and sixth spots, something that will likely continue against right-handed pitchers.
"I'm just thinking about (Ethier) getting more at-bats, especially against the righties," Mattingly said. "(Victorino) has been struggling against the righties. We'll flip it back with the lefties."
Ethier this season is hitting .330/.404/.552 against right-handed pitchers. Victorino is hitting .238/.302/.342 against right-handers on the season, including .225/.304/.324. as a Dodger.
| Cardinals | Dodgers | |||
| CF | Jay (L) | 2B | Ellis | |
| 3B | Carpenter (L) | RF | Ethier (L) | |
| LF | Holliday | CF | Kemp | |
| 1B | Craig | 1B | Gonzalez (L) | |
| C | Molina | SS | Ramirez | |
| RF | Beltran (S) | LF | Victorino (S) | |
| 2B | Schumaker (L) | 3B | Cruz | |
| SS | Descalso (L) | C | Ellis | |
| P | Lynn | P | Beckett | |
Game Time: 7:10 p.m.
TV: Prime Ticket