Filling in for Josh Beckett, Paul Maholm held the Padres scoreless for six innings on Saturday. Maholm entered with a 5.18 ERA and he hadn't pitched more than 2 1/3 innings in an outing in two months, so of course he combined on a shutout of the Padres. He allowed just two hits, walked none and struck out four while throwing 65 pitches in his six innings. It's the first time since April 14, 2013 that he's escaped a start without allowing a run.

Paul Maholm is likely to start on Saturday against the Padres in place of the injured Josh Beckett (hip). He's expected to take the ball unless he's needed relief on Thursday or Friday. Red Patterson will be on standby at Triple-A Albuquerque in case Maholm does have to pitch in relief over the next couple days. He can be avoided for fantasy purposes.

Paul Maholm was pummeled for 10 runs -- five earned -- on 11 hits over 3 2/3 innings Wednesday in a blowout loss to the Marlins. It wasn't pretty. Maholm failed to strike out a batter, he walked three, and he was kicked all around the park for 11 hits. Two of those hits were home runs off the bats of Ed Lucas and Reed Johnson. Indeed, this was a Miami lineup batting Jeff Baker cleanup, Johnson No. 5, and started Jeff Mathis so Jarrod Saltalamacchia could have a day off. It's no certainty that the Dodgers will keep Maholm's 5.40 ERA and 1.73 ERA in the rotation, but if they do, he'll square off against the Mets in New York next week.

Paul Maholm put himself into the win column with seven innings of two-run ball Saturday against the Rockies. The only extra-base hit against Maholm tonight was a routine fly that Matt Kemp lost in the twilight, giving Wilin Rosario a double. Maholm is likely looking at getting one more start before Clayton Kershaw rejoins the Dodgers rotation. That will probably result in Maholm getting demoted to the pen.

Paul Maholm was chased for five runs -- four earned -- over five innings Monday in a 7-0 loss to the Phillies. The veteran southpaw surrendered eight hits and three walks while striking out only two. He also gave up a two-run homer to Ryan Howard, who, well, doesn't generally pound lefties. He'll make an exception for Mr. Maholm, who the Dodgers must tolerate in the rotation until Clayton Kershaw returns. Maholm (0-2, 5.60 ERA) welcomes the Rockies to Hollywood on Saturday.

Paul Maholm surrendered only one run on five hits over six innings of a no-decision against the Giants on Wednesday. He whiffed two and walked three in his best start since August 28. The left-hander entered this game with an 8.10 ERA, but that was mostly because he got bombed by the Giants in his only other start of the year back on April 5. His rotation spot is safe until Clayton Kershaw comes back. Maholm will toe the Chavez Ravine rubber with his shiny new 4.97 ERA against Philadelphia next week.

Paul Maholm threw a bullpen session Wednesday and is on track to make his first start with the Dodgers on Saturday, according to MLB.com's Ken Gurnick. The team hasn't announced its rotation for the upcoming series against the Giants, so it's still just speculation that Maholm will get the start. The bullpen session lines him up to do just that, though, and the team is still searching for another starter in the wake of Clayton Kershaw's injury. The southpaw was signed to a one-year deal by the Dodgers in February as depth for these types of situations, and he's working his way back after being sidelined by some elbow soreness early in camp.

Paul Maholm was torched by the Reds in his Thursday start, allowing six runs (five earned) in 2 2/3 innings. Maholm didn't record a strikeout, issued two walks, and allowed six hits. Two of them were home runs: a solo shot to Todd Frazier in the first inning, and a three-run bomb to Chris Heisey in the third. Maholm has been bothered by elbow soreness and is on the outside looking in for a spot at the back of the Dodgers' rotation.

Paul Maholm (elbow) doesn't know if he'll be on the club's trip to Australia. The projected sixth starter allowed one run on three hits over three innings in a 5-5 tie with the Rangers on Saturday. "I'm just preparing to pitch wherever they tell me to," Maholm said. "If I pitch well, everything will work out. I'm not concerned with roles." MLB.com speculates that Maholm is a candidate to pitch the exhibition game against Team Australia two days prior to the Opening Series against Arizona. If that happened, Maholm would be designated as one of three "exempt" players, meaning he couldn't appear against the Snakes. Zach Lee and Matt Magill are two other candidates for those posts, reports the team's official site.

Paul Maholm (elbow) pitched two innings in an intrasquad game Tuesday. It appears that the elbow soreness Maholm was dealing with early in camp is in the rear view mirror. Josh Beckett (thoracic outlet surgery) is also looking healthy, which means Maholm is currently in line to open the year in a long relief role.