Dodgers say closer Jonathan Broxton will be back in July - MLB

The Dodgers have finally put a general timetable on Jonathan Broxton‘s anticipated recovery from a painful bone spur in his right elbow.

According to Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times, Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti told reporters Friday that he expects the right-hander to return to the big league bullpen in July.

Whether Colletti meant early July or late July is currently unknown, but it seems like the Dodgers are at least beginning to map out a rehab plan and that’s typically a sign of progress.

Broxton, who turns 27 on Thursday, registered an ugly 5.68 ERA and 1.90 WHIP across 14 appearances this season before landing on the disabled list during the first week of May. The Dodgers can only hope that the time off will help the former All-Star closer right the ship and again become a reliable stopper. He also struggled mightily in the second half of 2010.

From 2006-2009, Broxton had a 2.79 ERA, a 3.4 BB/9 and converted 55 saves. Since the end of the 2009 season, he has a 4.32 ERA, a 4.4 BB/9 and has converted only 29 saves in 37 chances.

BALTIMORE — The Baltimore Orioles signed outfielder Aaron Hicks less than 24 hours after Cedric Mullins went down with a strained right groin.

Mullins went on the 10-day injured list, but the Orioles are hoping Hicks can help defensively in the spacious outfield at Camden Yards. Hicks was released last week by the New York Yankees with more than 2 1/2 seasons left on his contract.

“We had noticed that he was a free agent even before the injury,” Orioles general manager Mike Elias said. “When the injury occurred and it became pretty clear this was going to be an IL, it seemed like a good fit even more so at that time.”

The Orioles are responsible for paying Hicks just $483,871, a prorated share of the $720,000 minimum salary. The Yankees owe him the rest of his $10.5 million salary this year, plus $9.5 million in each of the next two seasons and a $1 million buyout of a 2026 team option.

The 33-year-old Hicks hit just .188 in 28 games for the Yankees this year.

“We have stuff that we look at from a scouting and evaluation perspective,” Elias said. “It’s very different from just looking at the back of a baseball card, and we hope that we get a bounceback from anyone we bring here.”

Hicks batted .216 last season.

“Hopefully that’s a good thing for him,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said of the Baltimore deal. “A lot of time here and a lot of good things happened for him here. I know the last couple of years have been a struggle. But hopefully it’s a good opportunity for him and certainly wish him well. Not too well being in our division and a team we’re chasing, but hopefully it’s a really good fit for him.”

Mullins left a loss to Cleveland after he pulled up while running out an infield grounder. Outfielder Colton Cowser – the fifth pick in the draft two years ago – is hitting .331 at Triple-A Norfolk, but he went on the IL in the past couple weeks.

“Certainly he was building a case towards promotion consideration prior to his injury and prior to Cedric’s injury,” Elias said. “We’ll just see where we’re at.”

Hicks was active for the game but not in the starting lineup. Austin Hays, normally Baltimore’s left field, was in Mullins’ usual spot in center.

When the wall in left at Camden Yards was pushed significantly back before last season, it made left field a bigger challenge defensively.

“In this park … you really need two center fielders,” manager Brandon Hyde said. “Aaron’s got a lot of center-field experience. Played left field here before also. Brings the defensive aspect and then the switch-hitting.”