Paul Maholm (elbow) has been cleared to throw a bullpen session Saturday. Maholm dealt with some elbow tenderness earlier this week, but the hope is that it's just routine early spring training soreness. The veteran left-hander will operate as a long man in the bullpen for the Dodgers as long as Josh Beckett (thoracic outlet surgery) is healthy.

Paul Maholm (elbow) expects to throw a scheduled bullpen session on Saturday in Dodgers camp. Maholm came down with some elbow tenderness earlier this week, but the hope is that it's only a minor thing. The veteran left-hander signed a one-year, $1.5 million free agent contract with the Dodgers in early February and will provide insurance for the club's rotation throughout the 2014 season if his health cooperates.

Paul Maholm is dealing with elbow tenderness. Maholm experienced the elbow discomfort after throwing four bullpen sessions to open camp. He has yet to throw live batting practice and the Dodgers aren't sure when he might be cleared. This could become a real issue if the tenderness lingers into March.

According to Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times, the recently-signed Paul Maholm could wind up working out of the Dodgers bullpen if Josh Beckett is healthy and able to claim the fifth spot in the rotation. The first four spots in the rotation are locked up with Clayton Kershaw, Zack Greinke, Hyun-Jin Ryu and Dan Haren, making Maholm insurance in the event that Beckett, who is recovering from surgery to repair a nerve issue, isn't available for the start of the season. His fantasy value would be non-existent if he doesn't earn a place in the rotation.

Dodgers signed LHP Paul Maholm to a one-year, $1.5 million contract. It's a major league deal, and it could be worth more if Maholm is able to meet some incentives. The southpaw started 26 games for the Braves last season, going 10-11 with a 4.41 ERA. The Dodgers were one of the teams in on Bronson Arroyo until the end as well, so in Maholm they've finally gotten the insurance they were looking for at the back of their rotation. Scott Elbert was moved to the 60-day disabled list to make room for Maholm.

Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times reports that there is currently a locker with Paul Maholm's name on it in the Dodgers clubhouse. That presumably means that the team is close to a deal with the free agent southpaw, who's currently on location and taking a physical. With an already cluttered rotation, Maholm would likely serve as the team's fifth starter and an insurance policy in case Josh Beckett and Chad Billingsley don't recover as quickly as expected. It would be a good landing spot for Maholm, and a nice boost to his overall fantasy value.

Paul Maholm told Jim Bowden of ESPN.com and MLB Network Radio on Sirius XM on Wednesday that the Rangers are one of the teams who have checked in on him. It's not surprising to see the Rangers looking at alternatives for their rotation now that Derek Holland will be sidelined until midseason following knee surgery. The market for Maholm has been surprisingly quiet this winter after he posted a 4.26 ERA and 105/47 K/BB ratio over 153 innings last season with the Braves.

ESPN's Jerry Crasnick hears that the Twins are "keeping tabs" on free agent left-hander Paul Maholm. Add another name to the list alongside Mike Pelfrey, Bronson Arroyo and Matt Garza. Maholm, 31, had a 4.26 ERA and 105/47 K/BB ratio over 153 innings in 26 starts this year with the Braves. The veteran southpaw would be another solid addition to complement Ricky Nolasco and Phil Hughes.

The Braves are sending Paul Maholm, Scott Downs, and Anthony Varvaro to the instructional league to continue throwing. All three pitchers were left off the roster for the NLDS against the Dodgers, but the Braves still want them to get work in. It's possible they could be an option at some point during the playoffs.

Paul Maholm allowed three runs over seven innings in a loss against the Brewers on Wednesday. The lefty was solid but he was outdueled by his counterpart Kyle Lohse, who threw a complete-game shutout. Maholm allowed eight hits, including the first-inning homer to Carlos Gomez that ended with the benches clearing, while striking out seven. He finishes the year at 10-11 with a 4.41 ERA, a mild disappointment given how strong he was out of the gate.