Dodgers No. 5 Spot in Rotation Will Make You Sick

While the free-agent signings of Jason Schmidt and Randy Wolf in the off-season helped solidify the Dodgers rotation for the upcoming season, it still left the 5th spot up for debate (Brad Penny and Derek Lowe will have the others). The five-way battle between Chad Billingsley, Hong-Chi Kuo, Brett Tomko, Joe Mays, and Mark Hendrickson became a little more clear as it was announced that Billingsley will be moved to the bullpen.

Billinsgley made 16 starts for the boys in blue last year, going 7-4 with a 3.80 ERA, which isn't bad for a rookie, but his control issues (58 walks in 90 innings) drove Dodger fans, not to mention Grady Little, absolutely insane. Hendrickson (pictured on the right), who blew last year after being traded to LA from Tampa Bay, caused serious groans amongst Dodger fans throwing five scoreless innings against the Cardinals Thursday, retiring 10 batters in a row at one point.

Reason #347 to know you're in trouble, you're rooting for BRETT TOMKO to have a good spring and grab the final spot. He made a decent pitch for it (yes, pun intended), throwing three innings of one-run ball against the Orioles Monday, giving up his first run in seven Grapefruit League innings.

These battles can only make you wonder...where's Kaz Ishii when you need him?