2014 Dodgers review: Scott Elbert

Scott Elbert last pitched for the Dodgers in August 2012 and had three different surgeries on his left elbow in the two-year interim. He finally fought back to the major leagues though his 2014 didn't end the way he or the Dodgers would have liked.

What went right

Nearly 10 years to the day after his professional debut, Elbert returned to rookie-level Ogden on June 18, this time on a rehab assignment. That rehab assignment lasted over a month, but eventually the left-hander found his way back to the majors after a two-year absence.

In need of a second left-handed pitcher in September, Elbert was called up and allowed one run on four hits in his seven appearances, over 4⅓ innings, with two strikeouts and a walk.

What went wrong

After Elbert's rehab was done in July, the Dodgers decided not to bring him up, instead outrighting him off the 40-man roster, though he was added back in September.

Elbert in Game 3 of the NLDS in St. Louis allowed a leadoff double to Yadier Molina in the seventh inning - manager Don Mattingly said his one postseason regret was bringing in Elbert too early, rather than have someone else face the right-hander before the three pending left-handed batters - then two batters later allowed a two-run home run to left-handed Kolten Wong, the difference in a 3-1 Cardinals win.

Left-handed batters were 4-for-11 (.364) against Elbert in the regular season, then in the playoffs were 2-for-4 (.500) with a home run and a double.

2014 particulars

Age: 28

Salary: $575,000

Game of the year

Elbert retired both batters he faced in the eighth inning of Game 1 of the NLDS, striking out both Matt Adams and Pete Kozma.

Roster status

The Dodgers outrighted Elbert again on Nov. 3 and he cleared waivers, but the left-hander instead declined the minor league assignment and is now a free agent.