Los Angeles Dodgers News And Notes

Very quietly, the Dodgers are 25-19 and just one game behind the first place San Diego Padres heading into last night’s action. The Dodgers aren’t doing anything particularly great as they are in the middle of the pack in offense and pitching, but as a team, they are getting the job done.

Let’s see what is going on with the Dodgers…

LHP George Sherrill placed on DL. Last year Sherrill was effective for the Dodgers when he came over to them from the Baltimore Orioles. During the regular season, Sherrill posted a 0.65 ERA in 27.2 IP.

This year? Well, not so much.

Sherrill has walked 15 batters in 14.2 IP and sports a Yhency Brazoban like 7.36 ERA. Now Sherrill finds himself on the DL. Sherrill was placed on the 15-day DL with mild back tightness or in lamens terms “sucking.”

Rafael Furcal is activated from the DL. Sherrill goes out and Furcal comes in. Pretty convenient if you ask me. Furcal was activated from the DL on Tuesday after being out of the lineup since April 27th with a hamstring strain.

Furcal is a pretty streaky hitter and Dodger fans are hoping he carries his start of the season hot streak over to his return to the lineup. Furcal had a 309/.378/.420 batting line with six home runs, and eight stolen bases before going down.

In Furcal’s place, Jamey Carroll did a pretty good job with the bat. He hit .282 with a .381 OBP. He will move back to his role of super utility player now that Furcal is back.

John Ely is getting it done on the mound. How about this for a pitching line to start your career: 31.2 IP, four BB, 28 K’s, and a 3.41 ERA in five starts.

Four walks in your first 31 plus innings pitched in the major leagues is very Greg Maddux like. With the Dodgers’ rotation lacking much depth, Ely has really been a godsend to L.A.

So how is Ely doing it? With a bend-but-don’t-break mentality. He is giving up hits (29), but is mixing up his fastball, change, and curve well and is getting key outs when needed.

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