Los Angeles Dodgers Notes, Quotes 2009-03-29

--OF Delwyn Young probably will be waived before the end of spring training. He is out of minor league options, and the Dodgers' tentative plan to carry only four outfielders doesn't leave room for him. Young is a switch hitter who can play all three outfield spots and second base and thus probably will be claimed off waivers by another club.

--RHP James McDonald put himself at the head of the class in the battle for the vacant fifth spot in the Dodgers rotation. Since manager Joe Torre said McDonald would get a longer look for the spot because none of the other candidates had distinguished themselves, McDonald has made two starts and pitched six shutout innings, allowing two hits. The rookie also made six scoreless relief appearances, playoffs included, after receiving his first big-league call-up last September.

--LF Manny Ramirez appeared to have no lingering effects from the hamstring tightness that sidelined him for about a week. In his first three games back, he went 2-for-7 with a home run and played in the field in one of those games with no physical problems. Although manager Joe Torre has yet to announce a batting order, Ramirez probably will bat third this year behind switch-hitting speedsters Rafael Furcal and Orlando Hudson.

--INF Blake DeWitt remains a difficult proposition for team management. While he became an accidental regular as a rookie last year because of injuries to other players, this spring's acquisition of 2B Orlando Hudson seemed to push DeWitt out of the picture. Even as his spring average was hovering around the .300 mark as camp entered its final week, the concern for club officials was whether he would get enough at-bats as a super-sub that his development wouldn't be hindered.

--RHP Chad Billingsley suffered a right groin injury on March 23 against the Angels. Although the injury wasn't believed to be serious, his next start will come in a simulated game on the back fields just to make sure he doesn't have any lingering effects. Billingsley is slated to fill the third spot in the rotation, and the Dodgers don't appear to have much in the way of starting-pitching depth.

BY THE NUMBERS: 10 -- Players among those who are expected to be on the Dodgers' Opening Day roster who were drafted and developed within the organization. That number would increase to 11 if INF Blake DeWitt makes the team. RHPs Chad Billingsley, Jonathan Broxton, James McDonald and Cory Wade; LHPs Clayton Kershaw and Hong-Chih Kuo; C Russell Martin; 1B James Loney and OFs Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp all are homegrown products.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "It's depressing thinking about going to Albuquerque. I might as well go pitch on the moon." -- Veteran LHP Shawn Estes after being reassigned to minor league camp on March 22. Estes was given time to decide whether to accept the assignment or be granted a release, but club officials later told him he still could compete for a situational-lefty spot in the bullpen if he were willing to pitch on the minor league side for the rest of the spring.

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Author: Fox Sports
Author's Website: http://www.foxsports.com
Added: March 29, 2009