Dodgers’ Chris Capuano suffers minor setback to bullpen debut

There was the hopeful plan for left-hander Chris Capuano, and then the one that became reality. Sometimes you just have to make this up as you go.

Capuano threw off the mound Friday for the first time since suffering a groin injury last week, throwing about 30 pitches in a full bullpen session.

“But the last couple felt like it wasn’t quite 100%,� he said. “The optimistic plan was to maybe be available Sunday or Monday out of the ’pen, but we’re going to give it a rest tomorrow and come get back on the mound Sunday or Monday one more time before we declare it ready for a game.�

Capuano made it only to the second inning in his last start before he had to exit when the groin injury flared up.

When Capuano does return, he will have to prove to the Dodgers he can bring value out of the bullpen for the postseason.

Teams typically use only four, and sometimes even three, starting pitchers in the playoffs and Capuano was the Dodgers’ No. 5 starter. In addition, the Dodgers are using Edinson Volquez in Capuano’s fifth spot.

Manager Don Mattingly said he would use Capuano out of the bullpen but hadn’t ruling out the possibility of giving the pitcher a start down the stretch.