The former star closer, who was turned into one of the league’s top setup man after a deadline trade to the Dodgers late in the 2009 season (Jonathan Broxton has the closer role locked up for the Dodgers), struggled all spring and that has carried into the season thus far.  Sherrill, who posted an unreal 0.65 ERA in 30 games with the Dodgers after being acquired late in the 2009 season, has done nothing to show the Dodgers of that form so far this season.  Sherrill posted a 7.50 earned-run average in spring training and in his first two appearances of the regular season and has a 22.50 earned-run average in two appearances so far this year, the latest being a three run implosion in the bottom of the ninth, costing the Dodgers a win over the Florida Marlins. While it does not appear that Sherrill’s ineffectiveness is do to an injury (the club is saying he has a mechanical flaw in his delivery that they are trying to work out) Dodger fans can only wonder.

The Dodgers are expected to be a contender again this season, and with the starting pitching expected to be a question mark once you get through the top three of Kershaw, Billingsley and Kuroda, the bullpen was expected to be a strength that would help alleviate the question marks at the back end of the Dodgers’ rotation.  That expected strength has turned into question marks early this season, however, with Sherrill struggling, Kuo hurt, Bellasario having off-field issues and a group of unprovens trying to get on track.  Heck, even Jonathan Broxton is said to be seeing a dip in his velocity, which for a power pitcher is never a good thing.  Its only the first week of the season, but so far the Dodgers’ bullpen has not inspired confidence.

NOTES:  Andre Ethier celebrated his 28th birthday with a key hit to plate 2 runs in a key eighth inning pinch-hit appearance to put the Dodgers ahead by a run (a lead they would later surrender due to Sherrill’s ineffectiveness).  Manny Ramirez got his 2500th career hit on a little check swing dribbler down the third base line that intially went foul but then crept back into fair play as pitcher Josh Johnson picked it up off the chalk.  Ironic how one of the most prolific power hitters the game has ever seen in Manny Ramirez ends up getting his 2500th hit on an 8 foot roller down the line.