Dodgers rumors: Chris Capuano, Aaron Harang primed for bullpen duty?

One auxiliary consequence of the Dodgers' massive spending spree over the past six months is that they now have more starting pitchers than they can justifiably fit on the active roster.

With the additions of rotation shoo-ins Josh Beckett, Zack Greinke, and Hyun-Jin Ryu, veterans Chris Capuano and Aaron Harang appear to be out of starting jobs. So then what is to become of the pair?

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Capuano, 34, knows that his chances of making the starting rotation are slim even though he put together a solid season -- 3.72 ERA in 33 starts -- for the club last year. In spite of this, the southpaw has not asked the Dodgers to trade him, according to Ken Gurnick of MLB.com, and he has shown an openness to taking a role in the bullpen if that is what the club wants him to do:

Capuano said he wants to be "part of something special..

"I know the number of guys we have. I think it's good for the organization. You can never have enough pitching. I've never minded competition. If you earn it, you'll get a shot."

The 34-year-old Harang, on the other hand, hasn't given much thought to working in relief, and has been preparing this offseason to continue working as a starter. The right-hander has also not asked for a trade, but seems to be ready for that possibility:

"I started wondering about a trade a lot, but I just told myself I can't dwell on that," Harang said on Wednesday.

"I just have to get ready for the season like I normally do, whether I'm here and starting or in whatever role they put me in, or if I'm somewhere else. I still have to be ready to make 30 starts."

Harang had just as good a year as Capuano did in 2012, posting a 3.61 ERA in 31 starts, but is owed just a bit more than his lefty teammate. Capuano will make $6 million this year, while Harang is owed $7 million. Both players have mutual options for the 2014 season.

With the health uncertainties that follow Chad Billingsley and Ted Lilly around, there is still a chance that both Capuano and Harang will find their way into the Dodgers' rotation come Opening Day. If everyone is healthy, however, one or both players may find themselves on the move.