Dodgers' Padilla to undergo surgery

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 23 (UPI) -- Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Vicente Padilla will be out of action indefinitely after undergoing forearm surgery, the team said Wednesday.

The Dodgers said Padilla will go under the knife Thursday to free a radial nerve trapped by a muscle in his right (throwing) arm.

Padilla, who signed a one-year deal with the team after going 6-5 with a 4.07 ERA in 16 starts last season, underwent an MRI exam after experiencing pain during a spring training bullpen session Sunday.

The right-hander missed two months last season due to problems with the same nerve.

The 33-year-old pitcher was the Opening Day starter for the Dodgers last season. He was expected to pitch primarily out of the bullpen and provide a backup for the closer's spot this year.