Jonathan Broxton (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Albuquerque Monday.

The big right-hander will pitch Monday and Wednesday before being reevaluated. Sidelined since early May, we anticipated that Broxton would need quite a few appearances before being activated, but it sounds like it's possible he'll be back later this week. It remains to be seen whether or not he'll immediately regain his closer gig.

Jonathan Broxton (elbow) is scheduled to face live hitters Friday for the first time since going on the disabled list in early May.

Broxton made it through a simulated inning Tuesday without a hitch. Early word is that he could be ready to return from the disabled list sometime in July. Given the uncertainty in the Dodgers' bullpen, his situation is worth monitoring in all formats.

Jonathan Broxton (elbow) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Tuesday and could face live hitters Friday.

Broxton's rehab from that bone bruise is chugging along slowly but surely. GM Ned Coletti said Saturday that Broxton is expected back at some point in July. At that point, Broxton should have a good opportunity to regain his closer's job as the committee approach has been ineffective.

Dodgers GM Ned Coletti said Jonathan Broxton (elbow) is expected back sometime in July.

Broxton has been throwing bullpen sessions, and we thought he might be ready sometime this month, but evidently it will be a little longer than that. With Vicente Padilla (neck) also out, the Dodgers have been going with various options in the ninth inning, though no one in their bullpen has recorded a save since May 24.

Jonathan Broxton (elbow) threw a bullpen session Tuesday and is scheduled for another one Thursday.

So far, so good with Broxton's rehab from a bone bruise and a bone spur in the back of his pitching elbow. There's still no official timetable for his return, but he shouldn't need much more than a week.

Jonathan Broxton (elbow) has begun throwing off a mound at about 90 percent effort.

Broxton has reported no problems thus far and will continue ramping up his rehab until he's deemed ready for a minor league rehab assignment. There's still no timetable for his return, but mid-June sounds about right.

Jonathan Broxton played catch prior to Monday's game against the Brewers.

It was his first time playing catch on the field since being placed on the disabled list earlier this month. "It sounds like it's just a toss more than it is really trying to get to anything," said Dodgers manager Don Mattingly. "Really just trying to keep his shoulder moving." It's a step in the right direction, but Broxton is still several weeks away from returning.

Jonathan Broxton underwent an MRI on his throwing elbow Thursday that showed no structural damage.

Dodgers team physicians identified a bone spur at the back of Broxton's elbow and some bruising, but nothing in the way of a fracture or strain. The team is going to wait a couple of days to see how he responds to treatment. If the situation doesn't improve, Broxton is likely to land on the disabled list. Hong-Chih Kuo and Vicente Padilla are expected to draw save opportunities in the meantime.

Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said Jonathan Broxton has been shut down with pain in his throwing elbow.

Jonathan Broxton was removed from a tie game after walking two of the three batters he faced Tuesday against the Cubs.

Broxton's velocity has been down all year, but he hit a new low tonight, and he was all over the place, which is the biggest reason the Dodgers were so quick to yank him from the game in favor of Blake Hawksworth. Perhaps the diminished stuff was partly a function of his working on back-to-back days, but it was a hugely discouraging performance. If the Dodgers have a save chance on Wednesday, expect it to go to Vicente Padilla.

Jonathan Broxton picked up an easy save Monday, turning in a perfect inning in the Dodgers' 5-2 win over the Cubs.

Broxton fanned one and threw seven of his eight pitches for strikes. It doesn't mean a whole lot, but for one inning, he looked like a legitimate closer.

By the skin of his teeth, Jonathan Broxton picked up his sixth save Friday after allowing one run in the ninth against the Padres.

Broxton got the first two batters he faced, then allowed three straight singles, the first a flare into right and the next two grounders through the infield. That brought up Nick Hundley, who hit a wicked liner into left field that certainly would been a go-ahead double if not for manager Don Mattingly's decision to stick Tony Gwynn Jr. out there to begin the ninth. Gwynn made a terrific diving catch, ending the game. Broxton was hitting 92-94 mph on the TV gun tonight, though Vin Scully was being fed 94-96 mph readings to the booth. He's not spotting the fastball well at all, so he figures to remain very shaky for a while longer.

Dodgers manager Don Mattingly confirmed on Friday that Jonathan Broxton is still the team's closer.

His exact words, "Brox is the closer," don't leave much room for interpretation, so if you picked up Vicente Padilla in hope of getting some cheap saves, it sounds like you're out of luck. More than likely, Broxton will remain the closer for as long as Hong-Chih Kuo's back keeps him on the disabled list, but if he's still struggling when Kuo is finally activated, it's hard to believe the Georgia Hammer will remain Los Angeles' stopper.

Jonathan Broxton was available only in an emergency Wednesday due to mild elbow soreness, but he said he's fine.

It sounds like if a save opportunity comes up Friday, Broxton will likely be in the game. Dodgers manager Don Mattingly thinks that in order for his closer to rebound, he needs to be more aggressive in the strike zone. Broxton didn't walk his seventh batter last season until June 27 but has already walked seven this season. "Brox really didn't walk anybody before the break last year," Mattingly says. "Now you see him get in trouble not getting ahead in that count. When you get ahead in that count, it puts [the hitter] in doubt. That makes the fastball jump on you and puts the guy at a disadvantage."

Jonathan Broxton is feeling some elbow soreness.

Dodgers manager Don Mattingly made that revelation on Tuesday, just one day after giving Broxton a vote of confidence for the team's ninth inning gig. Broxton may sit idle for the next couple of days to be safe. Vicente Padilla could vulture some save opportunities after all.

Dodgers manager Don Mattingly confirmed Tuesday that Jonathan Broxton is still his closer.

GM Ned Colletti told Joe Block of KABC Radio in Los Angeles on Tuesday that the Dodgers would go with a closer-by-committee, but Mattingly spoke with Broxton and told him that no change has been made. "I don't want a guy ever hearing from media reports," said Mattingly. "If something like that's going to go on, they have to hear it right from me." Broxton is particularly vulnerable at the moment, but he hasn't lost his job yet.

Jonathan Broxton was told by Dodgers' manager Don Mattingly that he is still the closer.

Well, this is awkward. Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti reportedly told Joe Block of KABC Radio in Los Angeles on Tuesday that Mattingly would go with a closer-by-committee, opening the door for Vicente Padilla and Hong-Chih Kuo to also receive save chances. There's obviously a difference of opinion here.

The Dodgers will use a committee of closers until Jonathan Broxton rights himself.

Dodgers GM Ned Colletti made the announcement Tuesday to Joe Block of KABC Radio in Los Angeles and hinted that Hong-Chih Kuo and Vicente Padilla would share chances with Broxton moving forward. Kuo, right now, is on the disabled list. Broxton only has one blown save on the season, but his velocity is down and he's sporting a 1.85 WHIP through 10 1/3 innings of work.

Jonathan Broxton finally blew his first save on Monday against the Marlins, getting tagged for two unearned runs in the ninth inning of Los Angeles' 5-4 loss in Miami.

"Finally," because Broxton has been flirting with disaster all season long. Although he did issue two free passes, tonight was obviously not all Broxton's fault, as his runs were unearned thanks to a costly two-out error committed by Jamey Carroll. However, the big Georgian's ERA and WHIP now rest at 4.35 and 1.84, respectively, through his first 11 outings, while his K/BB ratio is an anything but sparkling 8/7. He has some extra rope thanks to Hong-Chih Kuo's back injury (though Kuo's return is not believed to be far off), but if he continues to pitch the way he has been, manager Don Mattingly might be forced to call on Matt Guerrier or Vicente Padilla in the ninth inning before too long.

Dodgers manager Don Mattingly expressed confidence Monday in closer Jonathan Broxton.

Broxton has allowed 10 hits and five earned runs in just seven-plus innings this season, but he has five saves and the Dodgers are sticking by him. "The ball's coming out of his hand fine," Mattingly said. "I feel good with him out there." If things turn uglier, the Dodgers could try Matt Guerrier in the ninth inning. Hong-Chih Kuo (back) is currently on the disabled list.