Dodgers pitcher Scott Elbert waits to learn playoff fate

The Dodgers aren’t expected to publicly announce their postseason roster until Friday morning, which could make for some sleepless nights for those players competing for the final spots on the bench or in the bullpen.

Left-hander Scott Elbert is one of those. Elbert made seven appearances in September, pitching 4 1/3 innings and allowing just an unearned run. He’s battling left-hander Paco Rodriguez for one of the last openings in the bullpen as a lefty specialist, tasked with getting one tough left-handed hitter out.

Others on the playoff bubble include relievers Chris Perez, Pedro Baez and Carlos Frias. Infielder Darwin Barney is among those in line for a bench spot, but even that will depend on how the Dodgers align their bullpen. If they go with seven relievers, Barney probably makes the team. If they go with eight, Perez could take Barney’s place.

Elbert’s playoff tryout called for him to pitch in back-to-back games in the season-ending series with Colorado and he didn’t allow a hit. Rodriguez pitched in the same two games, failing to get an out in the first one and giving up a game-tying home run in the second.

So Elbert sits and waits.

“They haven’t told me anything,� Elbert said after Tuesday’s light workout at Dodger Stadium. “I’m going to do whatever they ask me to do.�

No matter what Manager Don Mattingly decides, however, Elbert will consider the season a success after missing all of 2013 following Tommy John surgery.

“I’ve achieved a lot of goals that I wanted to this year. And just to make a playoff roster would top it off,� he said. “So, no matter what the decision is, I’m game for it.

“I’m just happy to have an opportunity again.�