An MRI confirmed that Jon Garland has a strained left oblique muscle, reports Tony Jackson of ESPNLosAngeles.com, all but confirming that he will start the season on the disabled list.Wednesday, Jackson was among those who noted that the Dodgers "really don't have to use a fifth starter until their 11th game of the season, April 12 at San Francisco, the first time they are scheduled to play a game on a fifth consecutive day."Going with only four starters in early April could allow someone like Xavier Paul to extend his Dodger stay past Spring Training.Other late items from Jackson: The weird, thank-goodness-it-didn't-happen-to-Matt Kemp explanation of why Andre Ethier didn't end up starting Wednesday's game, and a note that John Lindsey has reinjured his calf.More at MLB.co