The Dodgers sit at 31-37, in fourth place and seven games back in the NL West with 58% of their season remaining. They're 11th in the league with 3.93 runs scored per game. The Dodgers' starters rank eighth with a 3.82 ERA, while their relievers are dead last at 4.77. The latest links:
- Dodgers owner Frank McCourt is expected to meet payroll tomorrow, reports Bill Shaikin of the L.A. Times, but he has almost no chance to make payroll on June 30th without a cash infusion. About $30MM is owed on the 30th. In theory, MLB could complete their investigation of McCourt's finances this month and Bud Selig could approve the Fox deal, saving the team for McCourt. Otherwise, Shaikin says Selig could seize the team and put it up for sale. Meanwhile, McCourt is involved in divorce settlement talks with his ex-wife Jamie.
- Righty Vicente Padilla could be out of the season due to neck surgery, Shaikin's colleague Jim Peltz learned from Dodgers manager Don Mattingly. Padilla signed for a $2MM base salary in December. He was anointed the team's closer for a brief period of time. Instead they'll continue to piece things together until perhaps Jonathan Broxton returns this month.
- How about a positive story? Yesterday Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports named Dodgers infielder Jamey Carroll one of his unlikely All-Stars. The 37-year-old is hitting .319/.383/.389 in 255 plate appearances and appears to be in line for another multiyear deal after the season.
- Recently signed righty Ian Snell joined the Dodgers' Triple-A team, writes Kirby Arnold of The Everett Herald.
