The Los Angeles Dodgers lost their game in Tucson today, but perhaps more importantly fifth starter candidate Tim Redding left the game early with lower back pain. Redding faced three batters in the fourth inning against the Diamondbacks before leaving the game and heading back to Phoenix for further tests. It is unknown how this will affect Redding's chances at the fifth starter position, at least until Jon Garland comes back, but that spot won't be needed until April 12, the Dodgers' 11th game of the season.
The other candidate for that fifth starter spot, John Ely, pitches tonight in Peoria against the Mariners. While the fifth starter won't be on the roster opening day, it appears infielder Ivan DeJesus will be, per Tony Jackson of ESPN Los Angeles:
Barring an injury, infielder Ivan DeJesus has made the club and will be in the big leagues until Blake returns from back injury, a team source said on the condition of anonymity. DeJesus, who will be making his major league debut, likely will get the bulk of the starts at second base during that time, while Juan Uribe will move to third.
In other news, left-handed reliever Ron Mahay had an out clause in his contract if he wasn't yet added to the active roster, but the Dodgers have informed Mahay that he won't make the team, per Ken Gurnick of MLB.com. That is good news for Scott Elbert, who is looking like a good bet to make the opening day roster. Here are tonight's lineups in Peoria:
Dodgers
SS Furcal
2B DeJesus
3B Uribe
CF Kemp
LF Thames
RF Kapler
C Barajas
1B Sands
P Ely
Mariners
RF Ichiro
3B Figgins
LF Bradley
2B Kennedy
C Olivo
CF Saunders
1B Tuiasosopo
SS Jo. Wilson
DH Bedard
For more Dodgers news and information, be sure to read the SB Nation blog True Blue LA.