Kemp unnerved by tornado's havoc in Oklahoma

Matt Kemp is from Oklahoma City and was shaken after reading first-hand accounts from family and friends of the destruction in the wake of Monday's monster tornado.

Ethier, Kemp go deep to back Kershaw's gem

Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier ended home run droughts while Clayton Kershaw was dazzling again with a three-hitter as the Dodgers took the series opener in Milwaukee, 3-1.

Greinke to face ex-teammates in Milwaukee return

Dodgers right-hander Zack Greinke, who was with Milwaukee from the start of 2011 through the 2012 Trade Deadline, will return to face the Brewers at Miller Park in a matchup against Hiram Burgos.

Lilly activated, Magill sent back to Triple-A

Rookie pitcher Matt Magill has Minor League options and the Dodgers apparently want to see if veteran left-hander Ted Lilly can return to his form of early last season.

Injury updates: Hanley won't be rushed back from DL

Hanley Ramirez continues to take ground balls and hit, but manager Don Mattingly reiterated that the club will be careful with the injured shortstop.

Mattingly keeps focus on team, not job speculation

Dodgers manager Don Mattingly met with GM Ned Colletti on Monday, but insisted it was about the team and how to get it out of last place, not reports of his job security.

Colletti puts onus of Dodgers' woes on players, not skipper

Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti said his "perspective" on manager Don Mattingly "hasn't changed" and "the players still have to play."

X-rays negative after Van Slyke fouls pitches off leg

X-rays were negative on the lower left leg of Dodgers outfielder Scott Van Slyke, who exited Sunday's 5-2 loss against the Braves after he fouled consecutive pitches off his leg in a seventh-inning at-bat.

Bullpen only partially to blame for Dodgers' woes

The Dodgers left Atlanta Sunday night after three disappointing, debilitating and ultimately, depressing defeats. Their bullpen lost late leads in all three games. Much is expected of the Dodgers, but so far this season they have delivered only a 17-25 record.

Bullpen takes third loss in three days against Atlanta

All facets of the Dodgers' struggles were on display in Atlanta. The most obvious is an unreliable bullpen, which took all three losses. Kenley Jansen absorbed his second defeat in as many games, although all four of Atlanta's eighth-inning runs scored with "closer" Brandon League on the mound in Sunday's 5-2 defeat.

Jansen's pitch selection with Gattis baffles Mattingly

Dodgers manager Don Mattingly was still shaking his head in dismay Sunday over reliever Kenley Jansen's decision to challenge Braves pinch-hitter Evan Gattis, who slugged a two-run homer Saturday night on an inside cutter.

Gordon's baserunning gaffe frustrates Mattingly

Dee Gordon heard about it from manager Don Mattingly, baserunning coach Davey Lopes, and father and former All-Star closer Flash Gordon: "Don't steal third, unless you know you'll be safe."

Cruz available for finale despite bone spurs in elbow

Dodgers infielder Luis Cruz said he was available to play Sunday after being unavailable Saturday night because of a bone spur flare-up in his right elbow.

Dodgers activate infielder Ellis from disabled list

The Dodgers activated second baseman Mark Ellis off the disabled list Sunday and optioned catcher Tim Federowicz to Triple-A Albuquerque.

Elbert throws 13 pitches in Double-A rehab start

Scott Elbert allowed one run on two hits in one inning Saturday night as he continued his rehab assignment with Double-A Chattanooga.

Latest loss has Mattingly searching for answers

Don Mattingly was again seeking an explanation for another unbearable loss Saturday night, 3-1 to the Braves, this crusher the result of back-to-back home runs in the eighth inning by pinch-hitter Evan Gattis and leadoff hitter Andrelton Simmons off Kenley Jansen, the one reliever Mattingly thought he could trust with a one-run lead.

Kemp's great catch earns tip of cap from Heyward

In a rare show of in-game sportsmanship, Braves slugger Jason Heyward tipped his helmet in admiration after Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp robbed him of a potential home run.

Mattingly asks Gordon to harness aggressiveness

Manager Don Mattingly's forensic study of Jordan Schafer's bloop single in a pivotal sixth inning Friday night revealed shortstop Dee Gordon was too aggressive.

M. Ellis set to rejoin club, though rehab may continue

Second baseman Mark Ellis played one more inning than he was scheduled in Saturday's rehab appearance with Double-A Chattanooga, spending seven innings in the field while going 0-for-3 with a walk, two strikeouts and a run scored. After the game he will meet the Dodgers in Atlanta, then fly with the club to Milwaukee after Sunday's finale with the Braves.

Lilly set for Milwaukee return, but possibly in 'pen

Pitcher Ted Lilly will be activated from the disabled list when the Dodgers are in Milwaukee, beginning Monday next week, but manager Don Mattingly said he isn't sure what the lefty's role will be.

Bullpen, defense bother Mattingly in series opener

Lefty reliever Paco Rodriguez gave up his first home run since being drafted last summer and it was a crusher, a sixth-inning grand slam to Justin Upton that lifted Atlanta to an 8-5 win.

Injury updates offer both good, bad news for Dodgers

Dodgers manager Don Mattingly gave a lengthy injury update Friday that included good news on Zack Greinke, the impending return of second baseman Mark Ellis and a setback for utility man Jerry Hairston.

Van Slyke's emergence creates questions for Cruz

Luis Cruz and Scott Van Slyke were in the Dodgers' lineup Friday night, but their careers are suddenly headed in opposite directions.

Mattingly wants Jansen facing toughest hitters

Don Mattingly has adjusted his late-inning bullpen use recently by deploying Kenley Jansen to face the hitters posing the greatest threat, no matter the inning.

Prospect Pederson turning heads within organization

Yasiel Puig fanatics won't want to hear this, but the Minor League outfielder that could get the next call-up is Puig's Double-A Chattanooga teammate, Joc Pederson.

Rodriguez commanding his way to key bullpen role

Dodgers reliever Paco Rodriguez is on the cusp of earning a high-leverage role in the bullpen, only 11 months removed from being drafted in the second round of the 2012 Draft.

Greinke's return provides spark against Nationals

Zack Greinke made his first start since breaking his collar bone on April 11 and held the Nats to one run on five hits while striking out four in 5 1/3 innings. Greinke added an RBI single, and Adrian Gonzalez went 2-for-3 with an RBI as L.A. claimed the series win.

Greinke's return signals fresh start for Dodgers

Wednesday's successful return from the disabled list of Zack Greinke may have been the final push the Dodgers needed to begin their climb up the standings after a disappointing start to the season.

Jansen's save clouds Dodgers' closer situation

Dodgers manager Don Mattingly wouldn't commit to a closer after Tuesday's game, when Kenley Jansen shut the door against the Nationals instead of Brandon League.

Dodgers ink lefty Sanchez to Minor League deal

The Dodgers and veteran left-hander Jonathan Sanchez agreed to terms on a Minor League deal on Wednesday in a move that adds depth to the rotation at Triple-A Albuquerque.