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.

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.

Paul Maholm (elbow) will rejoin the Braves' rotation on Friday in Chicago.

Maholm missed a start due to a sore elbow, but an MRI came back clean and he's been cleared to return to action. The southpaw holds a 4.35 ERA and 1.42 WHIP this season and isn't much of a fantasy option even against the weak Cubs' lineup.

An MRI on Paul Maholm's left elbow came back negative.

Maholm will be skipped for one start before being re-evaluated. It's obviously good news, but with elbow issues this late in the season, he's no safe bet to make another start for the Braves. It's unlikely he would have been part of the team's postseason rotation.

Paul Maholm headed back to Atlanta from Miami on Wednesday for an MRI on his left elbow.

David Hale will start in his place on Friday against the Padres. If the MRI shows anything concerning, the Braves may have to shut Maholm down for the season.

Paul Maholm yielded three earned runs in five innings but the Braves beat the Mets on Monday.

Maholm was not sharp, surrendering six hits and three walks, but the Braves' offense provided 17 hits and 13 runs of support. Maholm will carry a 10-10 record and 4.41 ERA into his next start on the road against the Phillies.

Paul Maholm allowed one run over six innings but took a no-decision against the Indians on Wednesday.

Maholm gave up six hits and two walks, with Mike Aviles' solo home run in the fourth inning the only blemish on the night. It would have been Maholm's 10th win, but the bullpen suffered a blown save in relief of the left-hander. His second start off the disabled list went much better than his first, and he'll look to keep it going Monday against the Mets.

Paul Maholm gave up five runs -- four earned -- in 5 1/3 innings to lose to the Cardinals in his return from the DL on Thursday.

The Braves were going to put Maholm back in the rotation anyway, but he'd be their sixth best starter if Brandon Beachy is healthy. He's now 9-10 with a 4.51 ERA for the season.

Braves activated LHP Paul Maholm from the 15-day disabled list.

Maholm will return to the Braves' starting rotation on Thursday night in St. Louis after sitting out the past month with a severe left wrist contusion. He should be a decent fantasy option in deeper mixed leagues.