Dodgers’ Ted Lilly reports improvement in neck
PHOENIX -- Ted Lilly reported improvement in his stiff neck Monday, but acknowledged he would probably have to miss his scheduled start Tuesday.
“Today, I feel quite a bit better,” Lilly said. “I’m still not to where I’m confident that I’d be able to go out there tomorrow and not regress.”
He said he isn’t concerned that he might have to postpone his first start of the regular season.
“It’s getting better,” he said.
If Lilly is unable to pitch in the series-opening, four-game series in San Diego, No. 5 pitcher Chris Capuano would probably pitch in the series. The Dodgers had previously planned to skip Capuano’s first turn in the rotation.
Lilly said his neck hurt more than it did last year when he was forced to make a premature exit from a game. He speculated the injury was muscular.
In other injury news, utilityman Justin Sellers said the rash that sidelined him for the last couple of days is 90% clear.
Sellers said the rash was on his buttocks and leg.
The quadriceps muscle that felt tight last week has also markedly improved, he reported.
Sellers, a defensive specialist who is hitting .357 this spring, is competing for the final bench spot.
“I worked very, very hard on my approach, being consistent with line drives, keeping the ball out of the air,” said Sellers, who spent his off-season training with hitting coach Dave Hansen in Huntington Beach. “Last year, I popped out a lot.
“Hopefully, I did enough. If not, work harder.”
RELATED:
Clayton Kershaw isn’t happy with his slider
End appears near to Dodgers ownership saga
Are you a true-blue fan?
Get our Dodgers Dugout newsletter for insights, news and much more.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
