The Diamondbacks expect to sign Martin Prado to a long term deal

Getting Martin Prado as part of the Justin Upton deal was clearly important to the Dbacks. Maybe more important than we first realized:

#Dbacks expect to sign new 3B Prado, a free agent after 2013, to long-term extension in the near future, source said. Only way deal was made

— Jack Magruder (@JackMagruder) January 24, 2013

Prado has requested $7 million in arbitration this year, so his long-term deal will likely be around $10 million a year? A bit more? I like Prado as a player, but that seems awfully high to commit to a guy with his track record who will be 30 when he hits free agency. Prado’s value has always been his versatility and hoe solid he is. That’s great when you’re team-controlled. It’s not so great when you start making eight figures a year. For that, you need more upside than Prado has ever shown.

Dodgers southpaw Clayton Kershaw is nearing his return to the mound, according to club manager Dave Roberts. Both Kershaw (left biceps tendinitis) and fellow lefty Rich Hill (left middle finger blister) are scheduled to toss simulated games on Saturday; depending on the outcome, Roberts says Kershaw could forgo a minor league assignment and slot back into the rotation by Thursday.

Kershaw, 30, was diagnosed with biceps tendinitis as the team closed out their Mexico Series at the start of the month. He has not made a start in several weeks, but was finally able to resume throwing on Sunday and managed to get through two successful bullpen sessions. Though Dodgers’ ace hasn’t been completely injury-free over his 11-year career in the majors, this is the first significant issue he’s had with his pitching arm so far. The team is expected to take every precaution with the lefty, and will likely limit him to just four innings during Saturday’s simulated game.

Prior to his injury, Kershaw was working on another dominant run with the club, sporting a 2.86 ERA, 2.0 BB/9 and 9.8 SO/9 through his first 44 innings of the season. While Kershaw, Hill and left-handed starter Hyun-Jin Ryu served their respective terms on the disabled list this month, the Dodgers utilized a combination of relievers Ross Stripling and Brock Stewart, both of whom impressed during their limited time in the rotation.