DENVER -- The Los Angeles Dodgers needed a new reliever, so they brought aboard a starter.
Zach Lee was called up and was in uniform Saturday, as right-hander Yimi Garcia went on the 15-day disabled list with a right biceps soreness.
Lee, who was in consideration for the No. 5 starter spot late in spring training that ultimately went to Ross Stripling, was 3-0 with a 1.56 ERA in three starts at Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Lee will be used out of the bullpen, begging the question as to why the Dodgers just didn’t recall a reliever.
“I think that he hasn’t done it but that’s where we will be mindful of getting him warm a little early,” manager Dave Roberts said. “It’s definitely a routine that he’s not accustomed to but we expect he will be fine.”
The Dodgers also were interested in rewarding Lee for his strong start to the season. The right-hander has made just one other major-league appearance, when he started a game in New York against the Mets last season. He gave up seven runs on 11 hits in just 4 2/3 innings.
Roberts was pleased that Garcia’s injury wasn’t as bad as originally feared, but the Dodgers did not want to have to wait for the right-hander to show improvement so they made the DL move.
“I think we felt we dodged a bullet,” Roberts said. “When you talk about a biceps, it’s more benign than elbow or something like that.”