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Dodgers Vs. Padres: L.A. Loses Series To San Diego

The Dodgers are 9-6 against the Padres this season.

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20 Total Updates since September 3, 2012
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Chad Billingsley Injury: Dodgers P To Receive 2nd PRP Injection

Chad Billingsley will receive a second injection of platelet-rich plasma into his right elbow on Wednesday, but it doesn't sound like the starting pitcher will return to the Los Angeles Dodgers anytime soon.

Billingsley left his start on Aug. 24 early with a sore elbow, and was placed on the disabled list the next day with right elbow inflammation. The injury hasn't improved, even with an initial PRP injection late last week. Billingsley hasn't thrown a baseball in the last 11 days as a precaution.

Manager Don Mattingly said on Tuesday that he was planning as if Billingsley wouldn't be able to pitch for the rest of the season.

"It's hard to think we're going to get Billingsley back for anything major at all," Mattingly said.

But what about pitching in the bullpen as a possibility for Billingsley if he wasn't able to start?

"It seems like that's going down the tubes," Mattingly said.

Billingsley on Monday was anxious to return this year, but also mindful of his long-term health.

"These last 10 days have been the most boring time that I've ever had, just doing treatment all the time," he said. "I want to be out there and pitch, but I can't try to pick up a ball. If my arm goes then I'm out for 10-12 months."

Billingsley is 10-9 with a 3.55 ERA in 25 starts this season.

For more on the Dodgers, check out True Blue LA.

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Kenley Jansen Could Return To Dodgers In Two Weeks

Los Angeles Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen could return pitching to the team in two weeks, he learned today. Jansen met with doctors regarding his irregular heartbeat and is being kept out an extra 10 days or so as a precaution after taking blood thinning medication.

Jansen was hospitalized last week for a recurrence of an irregular heartbeat, an injury that sidelined him for four weeks in 2011. He has been able to throw bullpen sessions and take part in regular cardiovascular activity, but can't pitch in games for fear he would be hit by a ball. Doctors advised Jansen to miss the next 10 days or so, then he will be re-evaluated. He is expected to be ready to pitch when the Dodgers open a three-game series in Washington D.C. against the Nationals on Sept. 18.

Jansen will also likely have offseason surgery to correct the irregular heartbeat, but the procedure, called cardiac ablation, is not invasive. Jansen would presumably be ready for spring training after the surgery.

If anything the news was a relief to Jansen, who could have been shut down for the season on Tuesday.

"It's definitely a relief," Jansen said. "It's not something you want to worry about."

In the meantime the Dodgers will use a combination of Ronald Belisario and Brandon League to close games.

For more on the Dodgers, check out True Blue LA.

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Dodgers Vs. Padres Game Preview: L.A. Seeks 4th Straight Win

The Los Angeles Dodgers send Clayton Kershaw to the mound to face Eric Stults and the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday night. L.A. is looking for its fourth-straight win as it attempts to pass the St. Louis Cardinals for the final spot in the National League Wild Card race.

Kershaw is 12-8 with a 2.85 ERA on the season. He went six innings and gave up two runs on nine hits while striking out nine against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Kershaw has a good shot at the 2012 N.L. strikeout title, as he is just three behind Stephen Strasburg for the league lead.

Stults has appeared in 15 games for the Padres this season, with 10 starts. He has went 5-2 with a 2.45 ERA in 69.2 innings pitched. Stults pitched well in his last outing, going six shutout innings to beat the Atlanta Braves.

The Dodgers open Tuesday just 0.5 games back of the Cardinals for the second Wild Card berth and 4.5 games back of the San Francisco Giants for the N.L. West lead.

First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. PT.

For more on the Dodgers, check out True Blue LA and stick with SB Nation Los Angeles. For the Padres, head to Gaslamp Ball.

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Kenley Jansen Injury: Dodgers Closer Awaits Fate Tuesday

The Los Angeles Dodgers will found out Tuesday whether or not they have the services of closer Kenley Jansen, who hasn't pitched in a week after suffering a recurrence of a heart condition in Colorado. He will meet with team doctors Tuesday to find out if he can pitch again this season.

Jansen was hospitalized in Denver on Aug. 27 with an irregular heartbeat, the same condition that sidelined him for 28 days last season. Jansen also missed a few days during spring training this year with the same condition.

Jansen has been pitching bullpen sessions, running and doing all the regular activity he would normally do, but because he is on blood thinning medication he cannot risk pitching in games and possibly getting hit by a ball. Jansen is anxious to pitch again, and trying to stay focused on the positive before Tuesday's doctor appointment.

"I try not to think about it. I'm trying to stay positive," he said.

Jansen is 5-3 with a 2.54 and 25 saves in 56 games for the Dodgers this season, with a whopping 86 strikeouts in 56 2/3 innings. In the last week, both Ronald Belisario and Brandon League have saved games with Jansen unavailable.

But even with expanded rosters and two extra pitchers in the Dodgers' bullpen, manager Don Mattingly feels something missing with Jansen out.

"Every day I feel like I'm down a guy, the way I'm having to use the back end right now," Mattingly said.

For more on the Dodgers, check out True Blue LA.

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