Clayton Kershaw activated, Ted Lilly placed on 15-day disabled list
The Dodgers needed a roster spot for Kershaw, coming back from the bereavement list, and the candidates at this point were Mark Ellis (suffering from a strained right quad), Carl Crawford (suffering from hamstring tightness*) and Ted Lilly (suffering from, well, a lot of things, but most recent concerns are a sore back and a "right ribcage strain" [x]). Despite the fact that neither Ellis nor Crawford are in tonight's lineup for, respectively, their sixth and third consecutive games, Lilly was the one to go.
Lilly had originally been slated to pitch tomorrow, but it looks as though Matt Magill will take his place. [x] I can't help but breathe a sigh of relief knowing Lilly won't be on the mound in such an important series. I know that, fine debut notwithstanding, Magill has a lot to prove, but I still feel much better with a young up-and-comer pitching than I would with a guy who is obviously past his prime and plagued by injuries.
Of course, losing a starting pitcher, even one as ineffective as Lilly, isn't exactly good for the Dodgers, either. Some encouraging news is that Chris Capuano threw an "effective" rehab start the other day. [x] He also threw a bullpen session today. [x] Having Capuano back would, at least, give the Dodgers a five-man pitching staff, which they currently do not have (Kershaw, Ryu, Magill and Beckett are the only starters currently on the 25-man roster). It's been several days since we've gotten an update on Stephen Fife, who could, if healthy, conceivably fill in--if, heaven forfend, it is necessary.
Mostly I'm just really dying for Greinke to get back. He has been throwing from 90 feet, which is a start. [x] Just, please, Zack, get well soon.
*Right after I published this, Bill Shaikin shared that an MRI has revealed a "'minor' hamstring strain" for Crawford, who "still hopes to avoid DL." [x] We will see.