Umps to watch Cubs’ Ted Lilly, but it comes too late to help Dodgers

Reporting from Denver -- Casey Blake and the Dodgers got what they wanted from the umpires, albeit one day too late to help them: The umps are going to keep an eye on Ted Lilly.

Blake had charged the Cubs pitcher with working from in front of the rubber during Thursday’s game. After a video review Friday, the commissioner’s office advised umpires to be aware of the issue when Lilly pitches, spokesman Pat Courtney said.

Courtney said the video was inconclusive as to whether Lilly had repeatedly pitched without maintaining contact with the rubber. But former major league pitcher C.J. Nitkowski, watching the game on television, posted this on Twitter: “Camera just zoomed in & didn’t realize it caught a pitcher cheating.�

Blake said Friday there was nothing personal in his accusation that Lilly cheated.

“I’m not mad at him,� Blake said. “If you can do it and get away with it, why wouldn’t you try it?�

Blake and Mariano Duncan, the Dodgers’ first base coach, each said first base umpire John Hirschbeck had declined to warn or at least monitor Lilly. Hirschbeck said he could not warn Lilly about something he had not seen and said any umpire could call a violation upon spotting one, a response that did not satisfy Blake.

“Why even have a rubber?� Blake said. “Why even have the rule that says you have to be engaged with the rubber? Just take out the rubber and put a chalk circle there.�

Haeger again?

Charlie Haeger, who is winless in five starts with a 10.31 earned-run average, could be in line to return to the Dodgers’ starting rotation next week.

Rookie Carlos Monasterios started Friday’s game, giving up four runs in five innings. Manager Joe Torre said Haeger could take the next turn.

Haeger is expected to make a final rehabilitation start Saturday at Class-A Inland Empire. Vicente Padilla is scheduled for a simulated game Saturday and could start a rehabilitation assignment thereafter.

Green gone

The Dodgers recalled left-hander Scott Elbert and designated utility infielder Nick Green for assignment. Green said he would consider the Dodgers’ invitation to return to Albuquerque.

Elbert, a 2004 first-round draft pick, was 1-1 with a 5.40 earned-run average in eight starts at Albuquerque. Torre said the Dodgers wanted Elbert here for the weekend, as a possible reliever against a Colorado lineup that included six left-handed hitters on Friday.

Left-handed hitters batted .229 against Elbert at Albuquerque, right-handers .301.

Short hops

The Dodgers are keeping an eye on former major leaguer Jay Gibbons, who is batting .400 at Albuquerque. Gibbons, 33, could give the Dodgers a legitimate backup first baseman as well as a power threat off the bench. He has not played in the major leagues since 2007 and has apologized after the Mitchell Report linked him with human growth hormone. . . . Outfielder Andre Ethier played seven innings in the first of two scheduled rehabilitation games with Albuquerque, with two walks, a single and a ground out. . . . Catcher Russell Martin is expected to sit out Saturday’s game. He has one hit in 18 at-bats against Colorado’s scheduled starter, Aaron Cook.

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