Dodgers 2014 profile: Scott Elbert, rehab year?

Scott Elbert has been a member of the Dodger organization since he was drafted in 2004.  Elbert had been a top-100 Baseball America prospect from 2006-2008, but injuries have been ever present and he has gone from a starter to a reliever over the arc of his career.

There was a brief moment when I thought Scott Elbert was going to start a game for the Dodgers.  I can recall that Friday night as I sat with Phil and Eric at the August 7, 2009 game against the Braves, it had been announced that Elbert would start the upcoming Sunday game against the Braves.

But then Chad Billingsley pulled up with hamstring injury after singling in the sixth inning and then the bullpen began to give up the lead.

The game went into extra-innings and Elbert had to make an appearance where he gave up three runs and lost the game.

Elbert never came closer to starting a game in the big leagues.

The last 18 months or so have tested Elbert's patience as he has gone under three elbow surgeries, culminating with a Tommy John surgery last June.  But he has shown a great attitude and certainly sees himself on a good track to recovery. From last September:

"I just basically take it one day at a time," Elbert said. "As long as I continue feeling good, I feel like the process is going to be faster, more like 12 months than 18 months."

And if all that wasn't enough, Elbert had an appendectomy in January.

2014 will find Elbert spending his time out of the glare of the regular season race but Elbert will have his own magic number of days to conquer in his battle to make it back to Dodger Stadium.

Trivia

Four different True Blue LA writers have written a pre-season Elbert profile.

Contract status

Elbert signed a non-guaranteed $575,000 contract for 2014 but that became guaranteed after being placed on the 60-day disabled list.

Previous profiles

2010:  One of the many fifth starter candidates

2011:  Still left-handed, still wild

2012:  No subtitle needed

2013:  On the mend

Stats

2014 outlook

I agree with Steamer, he pitches one inning in September.  What's your guess?