Before Tuesday's game against the Atlanta Braves at Dodger Stadium, the Los Angeles Dodgers placed relief pitcher Matt Guerrier on the disabled list with right elbow tendinopathy. To take his place on the roster, the Dodgers recalled left-handed pitcher Michael Antonini from Triple A Albuquerque.
Antonini, 26, is a starter in the minors, but will be used in long relief or as a situational left-hander out of the bullpen while with the Dodgers.
Guerrier has been dealing with the elbow problem for most of the season, and last pitched on Wednesday in Milwaukee. But with a shortened bullpen Monday night, manager Don Mattingly said he could have used Guerrier in an emergency situation.
"We would have used him last night if we had to because we were a couple of guys down, knowing that he was probably going to be DL'd at the end of the day," Mattingly said. "Our biggest problem with Matt is he doesn't know if he throws one day how he will feel the next day."
Guerrier was 0-1 with a 2.70 ERA in seven games for the Dodgers, with five walks and four strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings. Antonini was 1-0 with a 4.26 in four games, including three start, in the Pacific Coast League.
Relief pitcher Todd Coffey is eligible to return from the disabled list on Sunday, so Antonini's time with the big club could be as brief as four games. Coffey will pitch in a rehab assignment with Class A Rancho Cucamonga on Wednesday and Friday.
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