The likely starting pitcher for the Dodgers Wednesday is 23-year-old right-hander John Ely, obtained with Jon Link from the White Sox in the off-season trade for Juan Pierre. Ely’s name dropped out of the probable pitchers list for the Triple-A Albuquerque Dukes and showed up in the Dodgers clubhouse Tuesday, although there was still no confirmation from the team. The Dodgers need a pitcher Wednesday to take the place of disabled Opening Day starter Vicente Padilla. Ely is a 23-year-old right-hander taken in the third round of the 2007 draft out of Miami (Ohio) University by Chicago. He went 14-2 with a 2.82 ERA at Double-A last year and is 2-1 with a 3.00 ERA in three starts for Albuquerque, having last pitched Apr. 21. He has 12 strikeouts, but also eight walks, in 18 innings. — Ken Gurnick