Dodgers lefthander Scott Elbert has been MIA since April, and after nearly two months of trying to rehab a shoulder injury, the 2004 first-rounder had arthroscopic surgery to remove scar tissue from his labrum.

“This is actually good news,” Dodgers assistant general manager Logan White said. “There was some scar tissue on the posterior (of the labrum) and it’s been removed. It was a minor procedure and honestly a relief. If it’d been a rotator cuff or damage done to the labrum, obviously we’d be looking at a much more serious injury.”

Elbert went 0-1, 3.86 in just 14 innings at Double-A Jacksonville, and was shut down after his April 16 start. The scarring on the 22-year-old’s labrum was so small that the Dodgers initially tried to rehab the injury through a throwing program, but every time the lefthander threw a bullpen he encountered soreness in the shoulder afterwards.

Early MRI results showed the scar tissue and the Dodgers ultimately decided to go ahead and remove it through minor surgery.

“(Rehabbing) didn’t make it any better and there was continual soreness,” White said. “This is good news . . . He’s going to be fine.”

Elbert will remain at the Dodgers extended spring training facilty in Vero Beach, Fla., during the rehab and isn’t expected to pitch competitvely again until instructional league.

As far as lefthander Clayton Kershaw goes, we’ve gotten several e-mails concerning his overall health after his skipped his last start at low Class A Great Lakes. But it’s that time of year for Dodgers pitchers.

The organization has a philosophy in place to limit their starting staffs at every level around midseason to more or less give them a break from the grind during the long season.

Kershaw is likely to pitch out of the bullpen in the next week or so just to get some work in before returning to the rotation. In 55 innings for the Loons, the 2006 first-rounder is 6-2, 2.13 with 74 strikeouts and opponents are hitting just .178 against him.