Here are a few Dodgers notes in honor of the Dodgers being the last 2009 playoff team to get a win!

-Outfielder Andre Ethier was out of Thursday’s lineup because of a turned left ankle suffered during Wednesday night’s 4-3 extra-inning loss.  X-rays of Ethier’s ankle were negative, but it was swollen and sore. He was being treated by the medical department, and manager Joe Torre said he did not know how long Ethier would be out of the lineup.  “He’s got some discomfort,” said Torre.

After Thursday’s game, Ethier said the ankle was improved but still sore. He said he didn’t expect to play Friday, but was hopeful he could return by Saturday. He said he hasn’t had an ankle sprain since high school.

-Don’t worry to much about the bullpen yet because relievers Hong-Chih Kuo and Ronald Belisario are making significant progress toward activation.  Kuo who is coming back from elbow problems could be throwing to hitters sometime late next week.  Belisario who makes his own rules and reported to camp 5 weeks late could face hitters in a game setting tomorrow.  Both Kuo and Belisario were important pieces in last years best bullpen.

-Russell Martin isn’t saying that the spring groin injury he suffered was a blessing, only that he made the most of his time off the field.  “It kind of helped me because I was able to lift more intensely throughout Spring Training, because I wasn’t playing in games and it’s made me stronger,” said Martin, who slugged the club’s first home run Wednesday night. His first of seven homers last year didn’t come until the 69th game of the season.

Information from MLB.com was used in this article