It’s hoped manager Joe Torre can shed some light today on who will start Tuesday night’s game in New York, but no clear choice has emerged to replace Vicente Padilla, who was disabled Saturday. The first preference would be a Minor Leaguer currently on the 40-man Major League roster, but among them Scott Elbert not only has a ?8.36 ERA after three starts, but he just left Triple-A Albuquerque for the birth of his child, with journeyman Seth Etherton taking his spot. James McDonald is on the disabled list with two cracked fingernails. Brent Leach and Travis Schlichting are on the 40-man, but are relievers. — Ken Gurnick

Dodgers disabled catcher Brad Ausmus will have back surgery Thursday morning to repair a herniated disc. The surgery will be performed by Dr. Robert Watkins Jr. and the club said it hopes to have Ausmus back on the field late this summer. Ausmus is 41 and on the disabled list for the first time in a 17-season career. — Ken Gurnick

Andre Ethier returned to the Dodgers lineup Tuesday, although manager Joe Torre said he wasn’t sure if Ethier’s turned ankle wouldn’t fatigue during the game.

Ethier missed four starts on the opening trip after turning the left ankle returning to first base on a pickoff attempt Wednesday night. He pinch-hit Saturday and Sunday. — Ken Gurnick

The Dodgers Saturday placed catcher Brad Ausmus on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to Friday, with a pinched nerve in his lower back and recalled A.J. Ellis from Triple-A Albuquerque. — Ken Gurnick

Rule 5 draft pick Carlos Monasterios has made the Dodgers Opening Day roster, but manager Joe Torre said he won’t announce whether the Dodgers will carry 11 or 12 pitchers until Sunday. — Ken Gurnick

The Dodgers released outfielder Jason Repko Wednesday, saving $375,000 of his $500,000 salary. Repko had been passed on the outfield depth chart by Xavier Paul.

The Dodgers also announced that Eric Stults had cleared release waivers, allowing him to officially sign a deal with Hiroshima of the Japan League. — Ken Gurnick

Eric Stults was scratched from today’s start, with indcations the Dodgers are about to move him. Stults is out of options and there have been indications of interest in him from teams in Japan. Stults, saying goodbye to teammates in the clubhouse, said he was told by his agent not to say anything to the media. He was in the running for fifth starter. He was 8-10 in 35 games over parts of the past four seasons. 

 

— Ken Gurnick

Manager Joe Torre used four pitchers against Cleveland Monday night who figure to make next week’s Opening Day roster, with starter Chad Billingsley pitching an effective five innings, followed by Jeff Weaver (two innings), Jonathan Broxton and Ramon Troncoso (one each).

 

A long first inning, when Billingsley allowed his only run, helped run up his pitch count to 83, then he went to the bullpen for another 25.

 

Weaver made it two innings, but only after getting drilled on the right side of his back when Grady Sizemore turned around Weaver’s first pitch. After the game, Weaver said he was okay. Torre again indicated Weaver would likely make the 11-man pitching staff, but only because there would be enough other pitchers who can throw on consecutive days.

 

Weaver is not one of them, but Broxton, Troncoso, George Sherrill, Ramon Ortiz and likely fifth starter Charlie Haeger should be able to. Torre said he’s not sure if Rule 5 pick Carlos Monasterios can. Broxton allowed a run Monday night, but Troncoso threw a scoreless inning pitching on consecutive days.

 

It was Sherrill’s day to pitch, but he didn’t, as he continues work on mechanical problems in bullpen sessions. Torre said Sherrill will pitch in Los Angeles Thursday night.

 

Andre Ethier slugged his fifth home run to right and doubled down the left-field line.

 

“Two of the prettiest things you’ll see,” said Torre. “It’s a lot of fun to watch a good hitter do things like that.” — Ken Gurnick

Pitcher Josh Lindblom is the winner of the 2010 Jim and Dearie Mulvey Award, given to the top rookie in Dodger camp as voted on by the Dodger coaches. Lindblom has impressed the staff, despite tossing just 4.0 innings during Cactus League play due in part to his being on the roster that went to Taiwan. The Indiana native was a second round pick by the Dodgers in 2008 out of Purdue. The Mulvey family were part owners of the Dodgers from 1938-1975. — Ken Gurnick

Manager Joe Torre said the Dodgers have tentatively decided to start the season with 11 pitchers instead of 12, which means Blake DeWitt is likely to start the season as the primary second baseman.

 

“I think we’re 11 now,” Torre said. “Still debating who the 11 are. There’s a chance we could go to 12 with all the extra players, but 11 seems the most reasonable thing to do. To start. My guess is 12 will be the number most of the year.”

 

Going with 11 pitchers makes it feasible for the Dodgers to keep one more position player, who will probably be Nick Green to serve as a natural backup shortstop to Rafael Furcal.

 

As for DeWitt, Torre conceded that the 11-man pitching staff would almost ensure DeWitt a job, at least sharing the position with Jamey Carroll and Ronnie Belliard.

 

“It’s realistic to say that,” Torre said. “He’s included in all those players. An 11-pitcher scenario, Blake DeWitt’s chances are better, it’s safe to say that.” — Ken Gurnick