NewsDodgers buy more time to set roster
Club will make additional changes before opener
By Ken Gurnick / MLB.com
04/06/09 12:40 AM ET
The Dodgers placed pitcher Jason Schmidt on the 15-day disabled list Sunday (retroactive to March 30), submitted a provisional roster by noon PT as required by MLB rules and cut four non-roster players.The club announced, however, that additional roster moves will be made before Monday's opener in San Diego. For example, the submitted roster totaled only 24 players, not the maximum 25, and lists 11 pitchers, even though manager Joe Torre has said he will carry 12.
It also lists outfielder Delwyn Young and pitcher Claudio Vargas as active, although neither has played in almost two weeks because of elbow problems.
In effect, the Dodgers have bought an additional day to manipulate their 40-man roster. The club was expected to add up to three non-roster players (infielder Doug Mientkiewicz and relievers Will Ohman and Ronald Belisario are the most likely), but currently has only one 40-man roster spot available.
Before Sunday's exhibition finale in San Francisco, the club assigned non-roster pitcher Tanyon Sturtze to Minor Leaue camp. After the game, the same fate befell non-roster pitchers Josh Lindblom and Erick Threets and infielders Juan Castro and Luis Maza. Castro's demotion means Blake DeWitt's play at shortstop satisfied the staff that he can back up at the position, and he apparently made the Opening Day roster.
Ken Gurnick is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
