PHOENIX-- Mike Bolsinger, the Dodgers' presumed fifth starter, was a late scratch from his scheduled start against the Padres on Sunday -- an eventual 12-5 Los Angeles loss -- with abdominal tightness on the left side.
Bolsinger felt a twinge on a curve ball a few pitches into his pregame warmup in the bullpen. When he felt it on the next pitch, he shut it down. Minor Leaguer Jeremy Kehrt started in his place and allowed six runs in 1 1/3 innings.
Bolsinger had appeared to inherit the fifth starter role only moments earlier when the Dodgers optioned Zach Lee to the Minor Leagues.
The third finalist had been Brandon Beachy, who has mild tendinitis in his twice-repaired right elbow.
Although the club lists Bolsinger as day to day, abdominal muscles can be slow to heal. Bolsinger conceded that the bad timing could cost him the fifth-starter spot.
"A lot of people say Spring Training is just for work, but to me I want to prove something," Bolsinger said. "It's like an actual ballgame during the season. It does worry me a little bit.
"It's just a little tweak, but it's bad timing, especially right now, with two weeks left in Spring Training. Worst case, I'm out for a week, I wouldn't think it affects my way of working up a pitch count. I'm a little disappointing not to get it."
Bolsinger has never had an abdominal issue and thought his biggest problem on Sunday was a pregame migraine. He said that even if this had been a regular-season start, he would have scratched rather than push through and risk a more serious injury.
"At this point, I'm not too worried," he said. "I can still twist and turn and all that stuff. I talked to guys who had it before, and they couldn't even move."