The Dodgers' Vicente Padilla, who underwent surgery on February 24 to fix his right radial nerve, which was being entrapped by one of the deep muscles in his forearm, threw a bullpen session this morning at Camelback Ranch. It was the first time the right-hander has thrown off a mound since the surgery.
Padilla threw about 30 pitches in the bullpen to catcher A.J. Ellis, while trainer Stan Conte, pitching coach Rick Honeycutt, manager Don Mattingly, and bullpen coach Ken Howell. Approximately five of Padilla's pitches were clocked at 80 mph or above, topping out at 83. Padilla appeared to be in no pain immediately after his bullpen session, then ran in the outfield before returning to the clubhouse.
In other Dodgers' injury news, third baseman Casey Blake might start the season on the disabled list. Blake is dealing with inflammation in his back, and hasn't played since Saturday. "It’s hard to get too far down the line when he’s not swinging the bat yet, not taking ground balls or anything," Mattingly told reporters this morning. It is presumed that if Blake isn't able to start the season, Juan Uribe would play third base, while Jamey Carroll would start at second base.
Uribe is starting at third base today for the Dodgers in Scottsdale, his third straight start at the hot corner. The Dodgers are playing the Giants this afternoon, with 2010 minor league pitcher of the year Rubby De La Rosa starting on the mound. Jeff Suppan starts for San Francisco.
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