Tomko is eager to become starter again

Brett Tomko made a mental note the day closer Takashi Saito re-signed with the Dodgers.

Start all over again. As in, go back to starting.

Tomko happily moved to the bullpen at midseason last year. Rather than viewing it as a demotion, Tomko was excited about the change, saying he eventually wanted to be a closer.

Opposing batters hit only .189 against him in 15 August appearances, but September was a different story. His earned-run average for the month was 5.40 and batters hit .346 against him.

The Dodgers have no intention of making Tomko a closer, or even the primary setup man. Not with Saito and Jonathan Broxton in the bullpen.

“Anybody in the bullpen has the ultimate goal of closing,” Tomko said. “That’s not going to happen, so of course I want to go back to starting. I didn’t go to the bullpen to be the fifth- or sixth-inning guy.”

The Dodgers are optimistic that Tomko can improve on the 6-6 record and 5.12 ERA he posted in 15 starts last season because he has changed his delivery to hide the ball better. Tomko shortened the arc his arm takes when he brings it back to throw, working on the new motion in front of a mirror.

Tomko had a minor setback Sunday, stepping in a hole in his front yard and spraining his right ankle while walking his dog. He skipped conditioning exercises and might not throw in the bullpen today.

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On another unseasonably cold, blustery day, Dodgers front office officials ventured outside to watch left-hander Scott Elbert throw his first bullpen session.

Elbert, a first-round pick in 2004, is considered the team’s best pitching prospect in the higher minor leagues. He is expected to begin the season at triple-A Las Vegas.

“We like Scott Elbert -- a lot,” Manager Grady Little said. “He’s a tremendous athlete as well as an outstanding pitcher. He’s fun to watch.”

Elbert has heard all the hype. Now it’s time to make a first-hand impression.

“I plan to take full advantage of this,” he said. “Anything is possible, so right now I’m competing to make the team.”

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Chad Billingsley is competing with Tomko, Hong-Chih Kuo and Mark Hendrickson for the fifth spot in the rotation. But if the second-year right-hander doesn’t win the job, he might make the team as a reliever rather than go to Las Vegas as a starter.

“We feel he has some flexibility,” Little said. “He’s a very competitive kid. I don’t suspect we’ll send many pitchers to Las Vegas who we think can help us in L.A.”

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Little says he has determined his leadoff hitter but won’t reveal his choice until he’s had a chance to talk to Juan Pierre and Rafael Furcal. Pierre is in camp, but Furcal doesn’t have to report until Tuesday.... James Loney said he would spend more time learning to play the outfield than working at his natural position of first base.... Saito, who is nursing a strained right calf, threw an abbreviated bullpen session.... Reliever Yhency Brazoban, who is recovering from elbow surgery, threw on flat ground.

steve.henson@latimes.com