PHOENIX -- Jason Schmidt will make his first "A" game exhibition start in two years Monday against the Rangers in Surprise, Ariz., manager Joe Torre announced Sunday.

Schmidt, recovering from two shoulder operations, came out of a Saturday bullpen session pain-free. He has pitched in an intrasquad game and a "B" game this spring.

His effectiveness Monday, and his ability to bounce back after it, will go a long way in determining if he remains in the running for the Dodgers' fifth starter. Schmidt hasn't pitched in a Major League game since June 2007.

The leading candidate for the fifth job so far appears to be Claudio Vargas. Also in competition are Eric Milton, Eric Stults and Shawn Estes. Jeff Weaver has pitched as well as any of them and hasn't been ruled out, although he seems more likely the leading candidate to replace swingman Chan Ho Park. The other four starters are Chad Billingsley, Hiroki Kuroda, Randy Wolf and Clayton Kershaw.

Hong-Chih Kuo and Travis Schlichting also will pitch Monday in a "B" game at Camelback Ranch-Glendale. Kuo, counted on as the left-handed setup reliever, has not pitched in a game yet because of his ailing elbow, which has undergone four operations. Schlichting has been slowed by back spasms.

Cory Wade, who also hasn't pitched in a game because of a sore shoulder, was scheduled to throw live batting practice Sunday. Wade, like Kuo, expected to be in the Major League bullpen, could pitch in a game by the end of the week.

Torre also announced the club had reassigned to Minor League camp non-roster pitchers Carmen Cali and Edgar Martinez. Cali had an 18.00 ERA in three games, Martinez a 5.40 ERA in three games.