Late Innings

Interesting news item from yesterday: Dodgers’ ace Chad Billingsley slipped on ice at his home, broke a bone in his leg and had surgery the same day to fix the infraction. He should be fine for Spring Training (some people aren’t certain), however considering the fact that I live about an hour from where Billingsley resides, I can vouch for him. The Northeast is going through a cold period right now. We had ice on Friday last week, and there were traffic wrecks a plenty, since people seemingly forget how to drive in inclement conditions after months of warm Summer weather. On an aside, this is usually the time when Al Gore gives his “global warming” localized lectures…

“Ice to see you.” Billingsley was 16-10, 3.14 last year with 201 Ks for the Dodgers. (Ann Heisenfelt/AP)

This injury only addresses the weaknesses that the Dodgers have currently in their rotation now. If the season was to open today, Billingsley would be their Opening Day starter. Hiroki Kuroda gets the #2 slot, and 20-year old phenom Clayton Kershaw is the #3 starter. After that, there aren’t other options aside from dipping down to their farm. Esteban Loaiza left to the White Sox in mid-season, Brad Penny and Derek Lowe are soon to be gone as well. Greg Maddux is to retire. Yes I understand that Ned Colletti has a large issue to take care of with this, however I hope that he has a “Plan B” ready just in case C.C. Sabathia doesn’t sign with the team.