More on Proctor, and yes, I do have Gavin Floyd starting tonight

Proctor, just as he did after getting roughed up Saturday afternoon, wouldn't use the injury as an excuse for his poor performance.  "I don't care how bad you're hurting, you still have to go out there and execute.  Everyone pitches through pain.  I don't like the way this looks right now." 

By that, Proctor isn't referring to what people might think about how things went down, that he was facing a demotion to AAA before admitting he was hurt, but rather the notion that he was pitching poorly because of the sore elbow.  "I don't like excuses.  I've never liked them.  Everybody has them, and they never look right."  Proctor confirmed Torre's account that he'd have willingly gone to Vegas to work things out.  He wasn't surprised to hear it was an option.  "The way I'm pitching right now?  Like I told you guys before, it's embarrassing.  I feel like I'm letting my teammates and coaches down.  Those guys have to go out and battle and try to keep things close.  I go in there and can't get the job done.  It's not surprising, it's a business." 

Proctor said he was reluctant to stop taking the ball, because by doing so he felt he'd be stretching out other guys who might need the time.  Even if he could absorb some lumps in a blowout, he'd be able to preserve another arm for another game.  Asked if in hindsight he should have come forward faster, he was clear.  "No.  I hope I haven't lost the respect of my teammates.  Numbers to me are pointless, it's the bottom line of wins and losses," he said. "I don't ever look back and regret competing.  Ever.  I think (Torre) understands why I kept quiet."  That doesn't mean, though, he was right to do it. 

Proctor said he started to know something was wrong not so much when his elbow would hurt during games, but when it wouldn't recover between appearances.  Off days did less good. 

I've seen situations where guys have manufactured injuries to explain away slumps, or perhaps overstated problems to avoid responsibility.  In this case, I believe Proctor when he says he'd have gone down to Vegas (not that he had a choice, since he still has options).  In short, I don't think Proctor is faking, in case you were wondering about that possibility.  Ironically, had he simply admitted to the pain earlier, nobody would have questioned the timing.     Download scott_proctor_6.25.mp3

In other news:

• Brad Penny and Hiroki Kuroda both threw bullpen sessions today, both coming through swimmingly.  Obviously it matters how they feel tomorrow, but assuming all is well, they'll both likely throw in simulated game situations this weekend (Kuroda on Friday, Penny on Saturday, I believe).  That means Kuroda won't start on Saturday, as you probably guessed already.  It's also possible that Penny could go on a quick rehab assignment once he's deemed healthy enough to go full speed.  Kuroda could pitch again as early as next week if he comes through his next test without any setbacks. 
• Jason Schmidt will be in Vegas on Saturday, where he'll start and throw in the neighborhood of 45 pitches in the first start since the clock was restarted on his rehab, after the hiccup with his calf. 

LINEUPS:

Dodgers:

Pierre 7

Ethier 9

Kent 4

Martin 2

Loney 3

Kemp 8

DeWitt 5

Berroa 6

Stults 1

White Sox:

Cabrera 6

Pierzynski 2

Quentin 7

Dye 9

Swisher 3

Ozuna 5

Ramirez 4

Anderson 8

Floyd 1

BK