Los Angeles Dodgers On the Lookout for a Fifth Starter

(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

The Los Angeles Dodgers are in desperate need of the fifth starter added to their rotation. This became a more frantic need when Chad Billingsley turned up questionable for his next start Wednesday in San Francisco, and with the Dodgers unsettled on a permanent fifth starter, manager Joe Torre said Sunday the team continues to look outside the organization for help.

They are probably considering the addition of future Hall of Famer John Smoltz, who was a disappointment in Boston this season in posting a career high ERA of 8.32 ERA with only two wins.

Another possibility is Vicente Padilla, who was designated for assignment on Wednesday by the Rangers. He currently has better numbers than Smoltz this season, with an 8-6 record and a 4.92 ERA.

The fact that he either came to meetings late or didn't show up to them must have rankled Rangers coaches and front-office folks enough to go ahead and send him packing. Padilla's habit of throwing at players on the other team also reportedly didn't sit well with teammates who then got thrown at.

The Dodgers need a true fifth starter as they move close to the pennant race. Currently that role is being filled by multiple mediocre pitchers, including Jeff Weaver, Jason Schimdt, and Eric Stults. None of them have filled that role with much success.

According to sources, the Dodgers may not be the only team interested in Smoltz. The Rangers may want to fill in the new Padilla hole on the roster, and Brewers as well are showing interest in both players. Don’t be fooled by Smoltz's statistics this year for Boston; he is still capable of pitching in his usual All-Star form.

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