SAN DIEGO -- After using most of their bullpen in Friday’s extra innings thriller against the Padres, the Dodgers recalled left-hander Alex Vesia before Saturday’s game and optioned infielder Matt Beaty.

Vesia, who was acquired from the Marlins this offseason, gives the Dodgers another fresh arm in the bullpen. In five appearances with Miami last season, Vesia allowed 10 runs over 4 1/3 innings. This spring, he posted a 4.76 ERA in seven games.

Given that David Price is unavailable for a couple of days, according to manager Dave Roberts, Vesia gives the Dodgers another left-handed pitcher to pair with Scott Alexander and Victor González. Without Beaty on the active roster, the Dodgers have 14 pitchers and 12 position players.

With the Dodgers’ starting rotation going deep into games, they've been fortunate with their bullpen usage, but they headed into Saturday’s game with three arms unavailable. Aside from Price, the Dodgers looked to stay away from Kenley Jansen and Dennis Santana.

Jansen pitched 1 1/3 innings on Friday, and the Dodgers would like to continue to monitor the veteran closer’s workload. Santana got some of the biggest outs of the game on Friday, but he was unavailable Saturday after pitching in back-to-back games.

The Dodgers had the ability to activate Brusdar Graterol before Saturday’s game, but they decided to go with Vesia. Graterol has been on the injured list since the start of the season due to a slow buildup this spring, but he traveled to San Diego on Friday and has re-joined the team as part of the taxi squad.

Roberts said there’s a chance Graterol is activated from the injured list before Sunday’s series finale against the Padres.

Updates on Pollock, Lux
AJ Pollock and Gavin Lux were not in the Dodgers’ starting lineup yet again on Saturday, but Roberts said both are making steady progress.

Pollock, who left Thursday’s game with a groin injury, came off the bench in Friday’s game as a pinch-hitter and was available off the bench on Saturday, said Roberts. Lux, on the other hand, is still considered day to day with a right wrist injury.

“They’re both getting better each day,” Roberts said. “Gavin, I would say [Lux] is 70 percent and we’ll just see where he’s at tomorrow.”

Lux got off to a hot start at the plate this season, but he has cooled off after the opening series in Colorado. The 23-year-old is hitting .220 (9-for-41) with five RBIs. His defense at second base has been a bright spot.

Price’s usage
Over the last two games, Price has shown the Dodgers -- and perhaps himself -- that he can be a high-leverage reliever this season.

When the Dodgers moved Price to the bullpen after Spring Training, the plan was to use the left-hander as a multi-inning reliever, giving the team up to four innings per outing. But after recording his first career save on Thursday, and following it up with two outstanding shutout frames on Friday, the Dodgers might have other plans for the veteran left-hander.

“I think that the first 10 games, we didn’t really get a chance to use him as often or find those runways for three- or four-inning stints,” Roberts said. “So we tried to find shorter stints, and that’s what we’ve done. He’s responded really well. That’s kind of how I see him, a one-plus inning guy.”

Price said he’s still trying to find a consistent routine as a reliever, but he is growing more and more comfortable after every appearance. Per Stats By STATS, Price became the first Dodgers reliever to get a win, record four strikeouts and an RBI in an extra-inning game since Nap Rucker on July 9, 1915.

“I think it speaks more to the quality of the human than the baseball player,” said Dodgers starter Walker Buehler. “But to have the success that he’s had and go into the bullpen and be the same guy every day, it’s tough to do. It’s been cool to watch, and obviously we’re happy to have him.”