Dodgers spring training 2013: Expect more roster cuts soon

The Dodgers have two games scheduled on Friday, the second time in three days they have a split squad. Days like these, with games against the Giants and Reds, the bulk of the 54 men remaining in major league camp are used, as are several from minor league camp. But that number will likely be trimmed within the next week.

Manager Don Mattingly said he will begin to see pitchers hit in games on Sunday, with no more designated hitter used by the Dodgers in games. That's one less spot for position players, and the need for players will also subside with the coming schedule.

Most of the regulars are on Mattingly's two-on, one-off pattern and with Wednesday's pending off day the lineups on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday will have less opportunities for reserves to play.

"You pretty much have a regular lineup for four straight games there," Mattingly said. "We're getting deep enough to where there will be less at-bats for guys."

The Dodgers do have split squad days on Mar. 15 and Mar. 17, but could bring up players from the minor league side for those days. There is also the date next week, believed to be Monday, in which many players on the 40-man roster will be optioned.

The bottom line is that by this time next week there will be a leaner roster on major league camp for the Dodgers.

Notes

• Carl Crawford took 50 swings in the batting case on Friday, the second straight day he has done so. Friday's session included 25 swings off a tee, and 25 swings off a toss. Mattingly said Crawford will likely continue to hit like this though the weekend, not yet returning to throwing.
• Scott Elbert threw again on Friday off flat ground, his second time doing so since his January elbow surgery. Elbert, who will throw every other day for the immediate future, said he felt no pain after Wednesday's session and it felt great to be able to throw again. "I feel like a real baseball player again," he said.
• Mattingly said Kevin Gregg would be stretched out to pitch multiple innings. "It's not just pitching two innings, it's being able to finish an inning then come back and pitch another inning," Mattingly said.
• Mattingly said that ideally, the team would keep six of its eight starting pitchers on the 25-man roster, including one in the bullpen. "That would be the best case scenario for us," he said.
• Chris Capuano was originally scheduled to start for the Dodgers in the nightcap, but instead will follow Ted Lilly on the mound in Scottsdale. Matt Magill will now start Friday night against the Reds.
• Scheduled to pitch after Lilly and Capuano for the Dodgers is Javy Guerra.
• Scott Griggs, former UCLA closer and eight round draft pick in 2012 by the Dodgers, is among pitchers from the minor league side in uniform today in Scottsdale, wearing No. 93. Other Dodgers pitchers from the minor league side include Geison Aguasviva (No. 87), Angel Sanchez (No. 89), and Red Pattterson (No. 92).
  
• Barry Zito starts for San Francisco, and will be followed on the mound by Javier Lopez, Dan Otero, Ramon Ramirez, and Sandy Rosario.

Game info

Time: 12:05 p.m. PT

TV: none

Radio: 570 Fox Sports LA

MLB Gameday