The Sports Xchange reports that Jason Schmidt will make his fourth rehabilitation start Saturday for Class A Inland Empire, marking the first time he has pitched on no more than the normal four days' rest.

According to The Sports Xchange notes: Although veteran right-hander Jason Schmidt is expected to complete his year-long comeback from major shoulder surgery and be activated from the 15-day DL next month, Dodgers manager Joe Torre said before Tuesday night's game Schmidt might not be completely recovered -- and might not regain his old, mid-90s velocity -- until sometime next season. "I think we may not get the best of him until next year," Torre said. "(Until then), I think we'll just get what he is. It's more the quality. It's about movement. Velocity is important, but I think he can still pitch as long as he is capable of throwing 89-90 (mph) and keeping people off balance a little bit." Schmidt's velocity topped out at 91 mph during his latest rehab stint, a 45-pitch effort for Class A Inland Empire (San Bernardino, Calif.) on Monday night in which he gave up three runs (two earned) on three hits over 3 1/3 innings.

The Dodgers got good news Tuesday when right-handed pitcher Jason Schmidt, working his way back from shoulder surgery last season, threw 3 1/3 innings in a rehab start with the team's Class A affiliate Inland Empire. Schmidt threw 45 pitches and gave up three runs -- two earned -- and three hits while striking out three. "He was good. He came out of it fine," manager Joe Torre said. "Next time he'll probably go to 60 (pitches). I don't think they've set the exact date but there will be and there was nothing to keep him from still going forward."

According to The Sports Xchange, Dodgers club officials expect RHP Jason Schmidt to be fully recovered from major shoulder surgery in time to fill a role near the back of the rotation to begin the season.

According to The Sports Xchange, SP Jason Schmidt has fully recovered from major shoulder surgery in time to fill a role near the back of the Dodgers rotation, leaving no spot for Esteban Loaiza but the bullpen.

Dodgers' Schmidt makes third rehab start ... [...]

Schmidt will make third rehab start at A ball ... [...]

Dodgers transfer RHP Schmidt to 60-day DL ... [...]

The Dodgers transferred Jason Schmidt to the 60-day DL on Tuesday to make room for backup C Danny Ardoin on the 40-man roster. Schmidt, who had surgery on his right shoulder on June 20 of last year, made his second rehab start for Class A Inland Empire on Saturday. He faced nine batters, striking out three and walking one, but hit only 90 mph on the radar gun. "The velocity is something the media focuses on," Schmidt told MLB.com. "I'm just trying to get the ball over home plate. I was pitching to contact and hoping the ball didn't go over the fence."

Dodgers SP Jason Schmidt, who had surgery on his right shoulder on June 20 of last year, made his second rehab start for Class A Inland Empire on Saturday. He faced nine batters, striking out three and walking one, but hit only 90 mph on the radar gun. "The velocity is something the media focuses on," Schmidt told MLB.com. "I'm just trying to get the ball over home plate. I was pitching to contact and hoping the ball didn't go over the fence."

Dodgers' Schmidt goes 2 1/3 scoreless ... [...]

Dodgers SP Jason Schmidt (right shoulder) threw a bullpen session on Wednesday and is to throw three innings on a rehab assignment Saturday in Class A.

Schmidt makes first rehab start ... [...]

Dodgers SP Jason Schmidt (shoulder) made his first rehab appearance for Class A Inland Empire on Sunday at Lancaster. He set down three hitters on 12 pitches, according to the Los Angeles Daily News. If all goes according to plan, he'll spend a month in the minors before the Dodgers return him to their rotation.

Schmidt will begin rehab assignment Sunday ... [...]

The Sports Xchange reports that Dodgers SP Jason Schmidt, who hasn't pitched since undergoing major shoulder surgery last June, is expected to pitch one inning for Class A Inland Empire on Sunday at Lancaster. With that, Schmidt finally will begin what is expected to be a month-long rehabilitation assignment that club officials hope will lead to his returning to the starting rotation sometime in June.

MLB.com reports that Jason Schmidt's bullpen session went without incident before the Dodgers' game on Wednesday with the Mets. Schmidt threw 36 pitches. Trainer Stan Conte, who watched the session with assistant general manager DeJon Watson, said there were no indications of any physical problems. Manager Joe Torre said Schmidt is scheduled to take the next step on Sunday in "something game-related," either the launching of a Minor League rehabilitation assignment or a simulated game at Dodger Stadium.

Schmidt scratched from simulated game ... [...]

MLB.com reports the Dodgers won't need a fifth starter until May 17, but it is not expected that Jason Schmidt (shoulder) will be ready in time. Manager Joe Torre is not worried about "if" Schmidt will return from offseason shoulder surgery, but rather "when." "We've got Schmidt there in the background," said Torre, noting that the right-hander is scheduled for a simulated game on Monday or Tuesday that could be followed by a minor league rehab assignment. "If he continues in the next couple days, a month down the road, he may be the next guy, starter-wise."

Schmidt throws 72-pitch bullpen session ... [...]

MLB.com reports Dodgers SP Jason Schmidt (shoulder) pitched a bullpen session before Friday's game against the Rockies. Schmidt, 10 1/2 months removed from major shoulder surgery, hurled 72 pitches. However, he is still hesitant to begin a rehab assignment and will throw one more simulated game Monday or Tuesday. "The next session is basically for his comfort," said manager Joe Torre, who watched Schmidt throw. "He wants a better feel for his off-speed pitches. I told him, 'That's why you go for a rehab.' But he'll do the simulated game differently. He'll go to the bullpen and warm up like a game, then throw a couple innings to hitters. He wants to be able to use all of his pitches when he gets in a game."

Dodgers SP Jason Schmidt might start a rehab assignment after throwing a bullpen session Friday.