Even as the Dodgers got off to a sizzling start in their effort to defend their National League West division title, they are not without their problems, especially when it comes to pitching.
First, rookie right-hander James McDonald finally has been dropped from the rotation because he failed to complete five innings in three of his four starts. He will be replaced by veteran right-hander Jeff Weaver, who was promoted to the majors for the first time since September 2007 and pitched four shutout innings that night in relief of McDonald, who failed to get out of the second inning. Although McDonald will remain in the majors and will pitch out of the bullpen, where he was successful following a late-season call-up last year, he was sent to Class A Inland Empire (Calif.) for a two-day visit with his mentor, 66ers pitching coach Charlie Hough.
The Dodgers also lost what was supposed to be a key member of their bullpen when left-hander Hong-Chih Kuo was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left elbow. Kuo finally admitted his elbow, where he had two Tommy John surgeries during his minor-league days, was bothering him on Friday night.
That admission came only after a bizarre attempt to warm up in the bullpen in anticipation of pitching the eighth inning of that night's game with San Diego. Kuo threw two of his pitches over the gate and onto the field, and almost all of his pitches missed the strike zone by a wide margin.
DODGERS 7, PADRES 3: The Dodgers scored three runs before Padres starter Chad Gaudin could record an out in the first inning, then put the game away with four runs off Gaudin and reliever Arturo Lopez in the sixth. Orlando Hudson had two doubles and three RBIs for the Dodgers. Juan Pierre and Juan Castro also had two hits apiece on an afternoon when Manny Ramirez, Rafael Furcal, Russell Martin and Casey Blake all rested.
