Ted Lilly says he’s ready to come off DL and rejoin rotation

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The numbers were not the prettiest thing baseball has ever seen, but nonetheless Ted Lilly said he’s once again ready to rock ’n’ roll.

Lilly, on the disabled list for the second time this season, said his strained rib cage gave him no trouble in Wednesday’s rehab start for Class-A Rancho Cucamonga and doesn’t believe he needs a second start before rejoining the rotation.

“I don’t think so,” Lilly said. “I mean, I’m healthy.”

Lilly went five innings against San Jose, allowing four runs on five hits, three walks and a hit batter. He struck out three.

The left-hander said he assumed he would next throw in a bullpen session on Friday. He traveled with the team Wednesday night to begin a six-game road trip in Atlanta.

Lilly, who had offseason shoulder surgery, has made two starts for the Dodgers this season. He threw five solid innings in his first start (one run, seven strikeouts), but had to leave the game after three innings in his second (five runs, two walks). Lilly said afterward that his lower right back was sore after the first start and he was quickly back on the DL.

Six starters have spent time on the disabled list for the Dodgers this season. With Josh Beckett the latest placed on the DL, rookie Matt Magill is scheduled to make fourth start Sunday against the Braves.

If Lilly does not make a second rehab start, he would likely replace Magill in the rotation when the Dodgers return home to play St. Louis May 24-26.

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