McDonald Demoted, Martin Making Progress, And Ausmus Ailing

Predictable.

The Dodgers cut three more players on Saturday, most notably pitcher James McDonald, who spent most of last season in the Major Leagues.

Also optioned to Minor League camp were reliever Jon Link and catcher Lucas May. Link, acquired in the Juan Pierre trade, impressed manager Joe Torre with his aggressive approach.

"James still had options left, so we will keep one of these old douches over him. James is a guy that had a 2.72 ERA out of the bullpen last year, but these 5.1 innings he had pitched in Spring Training 2010 obviously negated what he has accomplished when the games actually matter. On that note, the couple dozen innnings that Ramon and Russ Ortiz have hurled absolutely negates the last five years of fail that the two guys have had in professional baseball at almost every level."

Why not just say that and be honest?

At least Martin is feeling good, but Ausmus is having trouble now.

While Dodgers catcher Russell Martin is healing from a groin pull faster than the club expected, now backup Brad Ausmus is hurting.

Ausmus, who turns 41 next month, missed practice on Saturday after receiving an epidural injection in his lower back on Friday. A club official said Ausmus has had similar back issues and they've responded well to the injections.

Nonetheless, since Ausmus was sharing the load behind the plate with rookie A.J. Ellis for as long as Martin is absent, the fact that Martin's recovery appears to be ahead of schedule is welcome news, especially to Martin.

Old men having old men problems is never good. Maybe Ellis will end up having a big role on the big league team regardless of how quick Martin recovers.