For the first time this season, there was nothing at stake for the repeat NL West champion Los Angeles Dodgers. So Joe Torre, maintaining a tradition he used during his time with the New York Yankees, let backup catcher Brad Ausmus manage.

Dylan Hernandez, of the Los Angeles Times, reports Los Angeles Dodgers C Brad Ausmus recently expressed his impressions of OF Matt Kemp. "At 25, he's probably the most complete player at that age that I've ever played with, in terms of hitting, hitting with power, running and stealing bases, playing defense, arm strength," Ausmus said.

The Associated Press reports Los Angeles Dodgers C Russell Martin didn't start Monday, Aug. 17, because C Brad Ausmus has experience catching knuckleball throwers. Martin entered the game in the ninth inning.

News: Dodgers 1B James Loney got his first RBI of this postseason when he drove Cole Hamels' 2-1 pitch just over the right-field fence leading off the second inning Thursday in Game 1 of the NLCS against the Phillies, giving the Dodgers a 1-0 lead. He finished the game 3 for 4 with a walk and two runs scored, but the Dodgers still lost.

Analysis: Despite his size, Loney still has yet to break out as a power hitter, but he showed signs down the stretch, hitting four home runs in September. Because he plays such a deep position, he'll be no more than a middle-to-late rounder on Draft Day 2010

James Loney went 3-for-4 with a homer off Cole Hamels in Thursday's loss to the Phillies. Loney's homer was just his second in Dodger Stadium all year. Including the NLDS, he had gone 13 straight games without driving in a run.

Mark DeRosa had one of his fingers on his right hand cut by Dodgers' first baseman James Loney's cleats in Game 1 on Wednesday, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. DeRosa said the injury is no big deal and he will be fine for the rest of the series.

Our View: DeRosa got medical attention on the finger as soon as it happened last night, and he stayed in the game. The bigger concern is the wrist injury he has been dealing with for most of his tenure as a Cardinal, as these cuts are nothing to worry about.

The Associated Press reports Los Angeles Dodgers 2B Ronnie Belliard, SP Jon Garland, 2B Orlando Hudson, 1B Doug Mientkiewicz, SP Eric Milton and SP Randy Wolf filed for free agency Thursday, Nov. 5.

Mientkiewicz filed for free agency, the L.A. Times reports.

Spin: Mientkiewicz missed almost the entire season after shoulder surgery but returned in September. He'll likely sign a non-roster deal somewhere to try and win a utility job.Thu, Nov 5

Ken Gurnick, of MLB.com, reports Los Angeles Dodgers P Jeff Weaver received the last pitching spot for the Divisional Series and 2B Mark Loretta edged out 1B Doug Mientkiewicz for the final position player spot. Ps Guillermo Mota, James McDonald and Scott Elbert were also left off the roster.

Belliard filed for free agency, the L.A. Times reports.

Spin: Belliard hit .277 with 10 home runs and played well for the Dodgers in the final months, so he could get a starting job next season. However, his .325 OBP is a worry.Thu, Nov 5

Belliard filed for free agency, the L.A. Times reports.

Spin: Belliard .277 with 10 home runs and played well for the Dodgers in the final months, so he could get a starting job next season. However, his .325 OBP is a worry.Thu, Nov 5

The Washington Post reports Los Angeles Dodgers 2B Ronnie Belliard batted second during Game 3 of the National League Championship Series Sunday, Oct. 18.

The absence of Manny Ramirez brought out the leader in Blake, who gave owners great bang for their buck before the All-Star break before settling down in the second half. The veteran third baseman always manages to finish each year with respectable numbers, having launched at least 17 homers in each of the last seven seasons, though you have to wonder when age will catch up with him.

News: Dodgers 3B Casey Blake returned to the lineup on Friday against the Colorado Rockies. Blake was dealing with a hamstring injury and missed eight straight games but was back in there Friday. He went 0 for 4 in his return and struck out all four times. His batting average sits at .278.

Analysis: Blake returned for an 8-game absence and promptly struck out four times in four at bats. That isn't a good way to return to the lineup. Consider him an option for deeper mixed leagues when healthy and productive, however. For 2010, he remains a late-round option best left for deeper formats

Los Angeles Dodgers 3B Casey Blake (hamstring) struck out in all four at-bats Friday, Oct. 2, against the Colorado Rockies, after having missed the previous eight games, according to The Associated Press.

Rafael Furcal shrugged his shoulders to his ears, hoping to lessen the chill from the ice bucket being dumped over his head.Yeah, right.Even after the endless dousings of champagne and beer from teammates, the frigid water left Furcal with a dazed-but-happy look, as if his mind was trying to comprehend what had just happened.The same could be said about his team.Relishing the underdog role all series, the Dodgers made quicker-than-expected work of St.

Rafael Furcal shrugged his shoulders to his ears, hoping to lessen the chill from the ice bucket being dumped over his head.

Rafael Furcal was the ultimate table-setter for the Dodgers on Wednesday. He went 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored and helped LA down the Cardinals 5-3 in the NLDS opener.

Our View: Furcal didn't have the best regular season, but as long as his bat heats up in the postseason Dodger fans likely will carry a short-term memory. His ability to get on in front of the big boppers was crucial to LA's success and played to their small-ball type strengths.

Dodgers recalled shortstop Chin-Lung Hu from Triple-A Albuquerque. Hu showed a bit of improvement this season with a .294/.332/.393 batting line, six home runs and 53 RBI on the Triple-A level, but can hardly be considered a prospect anymore. The 25-year-old will provide infield depth down the stretch.

The Dodgers called up Hu on Sunday, the Dodgers' official site reports.

Spin: Hu spent the entire season in Albuquerque after logging significant time with the Dodgers last year. He's limited to a reserve role with the Dodgers in his immediate future.Mon, Sep 14

Hu was optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque on Sunday, the Dodgers' official site reports.

Spin: Hu impressed at times this spring, but there simply wasn't room for him on the 25-man.Sun, Apr 5

Dylan Hernandez in today’s Los Angeles times believes that the Dodgers will try and trade outfielder Juan Pierre now that Manny Ramirez has decided not to opt out of the final year of his contract.…the Dodgers didn’t miss a beat with Ramirez suspended and Pierre in his spot…the thought on Pierre is that his skills [...]

T.R. Sullivan, of MLB.com, reports Los Angeles Dodgers OF Manny Ramirez was taking a shower in the team's clubhouse when the Philadelphia Phillies came from behind to beat the Dodgers in Game 4 of the NLCS. Ramirez was pulled for defensive replacement OF Juan Pierre in the ninth inning. "I was taking a shower," Ramirez said. "I came out and I saw it on television. Then everybody started coming in and they turned off the television."

Juan Pierre shined once again with Many Ramirez out of the lineup. He went 2-for-5 and stole two bases in the Dodgers 5-3 win over the Rockies on Sunday.

Our View: Pierre now has 30 steals for the year, marking the ninth time he's had at least that many in a season. He also finishes 2009 with a .308 average. Not bad for a guy who supposedly didn't have a job at the beginning of the season.

Dylan Hernandez in today’s Los Angeles times believes that the Dodgers will try and trade outfielder Juan Pierre now that Manny Ramirez has decided not to opt out of the final year of his contract.…the Dodgers didn’t miss a beat with Ramirez suspended and Pierre in his spot…the thought on Pierre is that his skills [...]

T.R. Sullivan, of MLB.com, reports Los Angeles Dodgers OF Manny Ramirez was taking a shower in the team's clubhouse when the Philadelphia Phillies came from behind to beat the Dodgers in Game 4 of the NLCS. Ramirez was pulled for defensive replacement OF Juan Pierre in the ninth inning. "I was taking a shower," Ramirez said. "I came out and I saw it on television. Then everybody started coming in and they turned off the television."

Juan Pierre shined once again with Many Ramirez out of the lineup. He went 2-for-5 and stole two bases in the Dodgers 5-3 win over the Rockies on Sunday.

Our View: Pierre now has 30 steals for the year, marking the ninth time he's had at least that many in a season. He also finishes 2009 with a .308 average. Not bad for a guy who supposedly didn't have a job at the beginning of the season.

Jamie McCourt was denied her request to be immediately reinstated as the Dodgers' CEO at a hearing Thursday in Los Angeles. Frank McCourt fired his wife from the gig in late October along with a divorce filing, claiming she had an affair with her personal driver. It's still not clear how all of this will affect the ownership status of the team, but it's certainly not good as the baseball calendar flips to the free agency period.Source: Los Angeles Times

Scout.com reports that Andre Ethier has been named the "Clutch Performer of the Year", an award presented by Pepsi. The award is sanctioned by the MLB and voted upon by fans.

Our View: Ethier led the majors with six walk-off hits including four home runs. He had six multi-home run games this season and had 31 home runs total.

According to Jon Heyman of SI.com, Dodgers owner Frank McCourt has fired his wife Jamie as CEO of the team. The two are engaged in heated divorce proceedings and are battling over the rights to the club, which is apparently split 50-50 between the couple. It's not yet clear how this firing will affect the clash over ownership.Source: SI.com

Ken Gurnick, of MLB.com, reports Los Angeles Dodgers SP Chad Billingsley could re-enter the rotation in the NLCS if the team forces a Game 6 or 7.

News: Dodgers SP Chad Billingsley, who hasn't gotten an opportunity to start this postseason after fading in the second half this season, quieted the Phillies after their quick offensive start in Game 3 of the NLCS at Philadelphia on Sunday, retiring nine of 10 in one stretch. He allowed two runs on two hits with two walks and three strikeouts in 3 1/3 innings and made his case to start a possible Game 6 or 7.

Analysis: Billingsley made the All-Star team, going 9-4 with a 3.38 ERA in the first half, but he went 3-7 with a 5.20 ERA in the second half, casting doubt over his Fantasy value for 2010. He still struck out just under a batter per inning, so he clearly has stuff. Now that he has another season under his belt, he'll likely have a better idea how to handle the length of a 162-game schedule. Target him among the top 30 starting pitchers in Fantasy

Updating previous reports, The Los Angeles Times is reporting Los Angeles Dodgers SP Hiroki Kuroda has been added to the starting rotation for the National League Championship Series. The move, as expected, bumps SP Chad Billingsley to the bullpen and SP Jon Garland off the playoff roster.

Wolf filed for free agency, the L.A. Times reports.

Spin: Wolf had a strong season with the Dodgers (3.23 ERA and 160:58 K:BB ratio in 214.3 innings), so he'll likely have many suitors this winter.Thu, Nov 5

Randy Wolf, along with Orlando Hudson, are not expected back as Dodgers in 2010. This according to Dylan Hernandez of the L.A. Times. Wolf is certain to land himself a nice contract after a successful season (3.23 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 129/58 K/BB in 214.1 innings). He may be the pitcher some are eyeing in lieu of the more expensive John Lackey. Hudson was frozen out of the free agent market this past offseason, and may find a similar fate waiting for him after losing his job late in the season to Ronnie Belliard.Source: Los Angeles Times Related: Orlando Hudson

According to the official Twitter page of the Dodgers, manager Joe Torre confirmed that Randy Wolf would start a potential Game 7 against the Phillies. Of course, the Dodgers have a huge and unlikely mountain to climb before they get there. Wolf started Game 4 on Monday and allowed three runs over 5 1/3 innings, but took a no-decision in a 5-4 loss. Since Game 7 would be on Saturday, Wolf would be pitching on regular rest.Source: Dodgertown USA on Twitter

Ken Gurnick, of MLB.com, reports Los Angeles Dodgers SP Hiroki Kuroda said there is nothing physically wrong with him following his brief start in Game 3 of the NLCS. Manager Joe Torre said he will have no hesitation in starting Kuroda again.

PHILADELPHIA -- The Dodgers' decision to start Hiroki Kuroda was an understandable gamble that just didn't work, and manager Joe Torre wouldn't second-guess that call after Kuroda blew up early in their 11-0 defeat to the Phillies in Game 3. Kuroda may not get a second shot to start in this series, but that's OK. The Dodgers have several starters of similar ability, so Torre has a chance to tap a different one if they get to Game 7.

Manager Joe Torre didn't second-guess himself for starting Hiroki Kuroda on Sunday against the Phillies in Game 3 of the NLCS. "I don't second-guess the decision because we made it on what we saw," said Torre. "The ball didn't behave. That's basically all I can tell you about that." Torre opted for Kuroda instead of Chad Billingsley because of how he was able to command his pitches during a simulated game at the Dodgers' spring training complex last week. Kuroda retired only four batters on Sunday, allowing six runs on six hits, including a long two-run homer to Jayson Werth. Billingsley impressed in relief, yielding two runs over 3 1/3 innings, however the game was already out of reach. He could be in line for a start later in the series.Source: Los Angeles Times Related: Chad Billingsley

Dodgers.MLB.com's Ken Gurnick reports the Los Angeles Dodgers have a possible $40 million coming off the books with eligible free agents. That figure is topped by SP Jason Schmidt's $15.5 million salary.

News: Jason Schmidt (shoulder) was moved to the 60-day DL on Thursday, effectively ending his season.

Analysis: Schmidt is nothing more than a non-roster spring training roster invitee next February. Cut and ignore him in all leagues now. He might never be an effective starter in the major leagues again

Dylan Hernandez, of the Los Angeles Times, reports Los Angeles Dodgers SP Jason Schmidt's (shoulder) career may be coming to an end, after the team moved him to the 60-day disabled list Thursday, Aug. 27. He will not be able to pitch again this season.

MLB.com reports that Dodgers manager Joe Torre will still use closer Jonathan Broxton in any save situations moving forward.

Our View: The Dodgers are on their last leg, but it appears Torre still has faith in his closer. LA has a deep bullpen, so they could go with a closer by committee or hand the ball to former Baltimore George Sherrill, but it appears that won't be the case. The final three outs will once again be Broxton's to get, despite the fact that he blew a one-run lead with two outs in the ninth of Game 4 that gave the Phillies a 3-1 series lead.

Los Angeles Dodgers RP George Sherrill allowed one hit and one walk over one-third of an inning Saturday, Sept. 26, against the Pittsburgh Pirates, according to The Associated Press. He was credited with the victory, improving his record to 1-1.

The Los Angeles Times reports Los Angeles Dodgers RP George Sherrill had given up only one run in 23 appearances with the Dodgers for an earned-run average of 0.42 prior to the Sunday, Sept. 20, game against the San Francisco Giants.

The Associated Press reports Los Angeles Dodgers RP Hong-Chih Kuo picked up the victory in relief during Game 2 of the National League Championship Series Friday, Oct. 16, as the Dodgers scored a 2-1 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies.

Ben Bolch, of The Los Angeles Times, reports Los Angeles Dodgers RP Hong-Chih Kuo isn't seeing clearly because he is not wearing contact lenses this year. "I just don't feel very comfortable with them," Kuo said. Kuo explained that his lenses often dried up on him while he sat in the bullpen last season. The Dodgers have made some small adjustments to accommodate Kuo, who recently ended a three-month stint on the disabled list.

Kuo pitched a 1-2-3 eighth inning Monday against the Cardinals in his first game action in three months.

Spin: Kuo hit 95 mph with his fastball and looked sharp. If he can remain healthy, Kuo will provide a huge boost to the Dodger bullpen down the stretch.Tue, Jul 28

News: Dodgers RP Charlie Haeger, who battled a knee injury late in the regular season, wasn't on the postseason roster for the NLDS against the Cardinals and likely won't be for the NLCS against the Phillies.

Analysis: Haeger is nothing more than a middle reliever for the deepest of NL-only leagues that use true middle men when healthy. He will go unowned in most formats on Draft Day in 2010

News: Dodgers RP Charlie Haeger did not pitch in Game 2 of the NLDS against the Cardinals due to a knee injury. He remains questionable for the rest of the series.

Analysis: Haeger is nothing more than a middle reliever for the deepest of NL-only leagues that use true middle men when healthy. He will go unowned in most formats on Draft Day in 2010

News: Dodgers RP Charlie Haeger did not pitch in Game 1 of the NLDS against the Cardinals due to a knee injury. He remains questionable for the rest of the series.

Analysis: Haeger is nothing more than a middle reliever for the deepest of NL-only leagues that use true middle men when healthy. He will go unowned in most formats on Draft Day in 2010

News: James McDonald (5-4) struck out the side in the seventh for the victory Tuesday.

Analysis: McDonald has long-term potential as a starter or late-inning reliever, but he is nothing more than a low-end middle reliever for the deepest of leagues that use true middle men down the stretch. His Fantasy value is limited by his role

News: James McDonald (4-4) took the loss Monday, allowing two runs and two hits in one inning. He struck out one and walked two, including a bases-loaded walk with two outs in the 10th.

Analysis: McDonald has long-term potential as a starter or late-inning reliever, but he is nothing more than a low-end middle reliever for the deepest of leagues that use true middle men down the stretch. His Fantasy value is limited by his role

Troy Tulowitzki lined a fastball into center field off James McDonald with one out and the bases loaded in the 10th to give the Colorado Rockies a wild, 5-4 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers in the opener of a crucial three-game series Tuesday night.

News: The Dodgers added left-handed rookie pitcher Scott Elbert and right-hander Hiroki Kuroda to their roster for the National League championship series against the Phillies and dropped right-handers Jon Garland and Jeff Weaver. The Dodgers and Phillies played Game 1 of the NLCS on Thursday.

Analysis: Weaver bounced between the starting rotation and the bullpen this season, which is probably the type of role he'll have for the rest of his mostly unimpressive career. Don't bother with him on Draft Day 2010

ESPNews reports the Los Angeles Dodgers added SP Scott Elbert to their NLCS roster and dropped P Jeff Weaver.

Weaver (illness) was left off the Dodgers' NLCS roster, the team's official site reports.

Spin: Scott Elbert replaced Weaver on the roster.Thu, Oct 15

Milton (back) filed for free agency, the L.A. Times reports.

Spin: Milton underwent surgery in July to remove a herniated disk in his back, so he'll need to prove he's healthy before finding a job this winter.Thu, Nov 5

Eric Milton has been transferred from the 15 to the 60-day DL, according to TSN.

Our View: He underwent lower-back surgery last week to remove a disk herniation, and is out of the season. He is expected to need around three months of recovery time.

News: The Los Angeles Dodgers transferred LHP Eric Milton from the 15-day DL to the 60-day DL on Monday.

Analysis: Milton is out for the season and might never pitch in the majors again. Cut and ignore him in all leagues right now