Dodgers' Scott Elbert has his dream come true
DODGERS FYI
Recalled from double A, he pitches in the majors.
PHOENIX -- What Scott Elbert said he thought was outside the realm of possibility became reality Friday, when the Dodgers purchased his contract from double-A Jacksonville and called him up to the big leagues for the first time. Elbert replaced Clayton Kershaw, who was optioned to triple-A Las Vegas but will be back with the Dodgers in time to make his next start Tuesday.
Elbert, 23, who was the 17th overall pick of the 2004 draft, started the season in extended spring training recovering from major shoulder surgery he underwent in June 2007.
"I thought I was never going to get out," Elbert said, recalling the numerous setbacks he suffered at the Dodgers' facility in Vero Beach.
The highly touted left-hander's move to Jacksonville on June 3 was accompanied by another move: one to the bullpen. Pitching in relief in 24 of his 25 games for Jacksonville, Elbert was 4-1 with a 2.40 earned-run average.
"I loved it, man," Elbert said of the role that he was forced into to preserve his arm.
Assistant General Manager DeJon Watson said Elbert's fastball was regularly clocked in the 90-92 mph range, only a couple of ticks slower than the 94 mph he used to reach before his surgery. Watson said Elbert could become a starter again in the future.
Elbert made his major league debut Friday, when Manager Joe Torre handed him the ball with the Dodgers trailing, 4-2, in the bottom of the sixth. He struck out two and walked one in two-thirds of an inning.
Elbert was one of the two high school players from Missouri drafted in the first round by the Dodgers. The other was Blake DeWitt, who had the same signing scout as Elbert, Mitch Webster.
Saito progressing slowly
Closer Takashi Saito threw off a mound for the first time since being put on the disabled list because of a sprained ligament in his right elbow, but he remains at least a couple of weeks away from pitching in a game. Saito made 15 pitches Friday.
Saito is expected to be moved to the 60-day disabled list to open a spot on the 40-man roster Monday, the day major league clubs can expand their rosters. If he is moved to the 60-day DL, he wouldn't be eligible to be activated until the Dodgers' off day Sept. 11.
Saito last pitched July 12 and still faces the possibility of season-ending elbow surgery.
Close to coming back
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