League's DFA signals 'changing of the guard'

LOS ANGELES -- After the Dodgers designated Brandon League for assignment on Thursday, manager Don Mattingly said the move represented a changing of the times.

"It's just a little bit of a changing of the guard," Mattingly said. "We've got some younger guys throwing really well out of the bullpen for us. You try to keep your best seven guys and obviously we didn't feel like, at this point, we didn't feel like he was one of those guys."

The 32-year-old League was rehabbing right-shoulder inflammation in the Minors and had yet to see action in the Majors for the Dodgers this season. In 10 appearances between Triple-A Oklahoma City and Class A Advanced Rancho Cucamonga, League posted a 0.84 ERA, allowing one earned run in 10 2/3 innings. Mattingly said that his velocities were "a tick down from last year."

League is in the final year of a three year, $22.5 million contract and will be put on waivers. The Dodgers have an opportunity to keep League in the organization if he clears waivers and accepts a designation to the Minors, although Mattingly doesn't envision that scenario.

"We didn't really talk about that. More than anything we just thanked him for his time he was here," Mattingly said. "But really you want him to be in the big leagues. That's where all guys want to be and as his manager, you want him to be in the big leagues, somewhere.

"I think someone will give him an opportunity [in the Majors]. Bullpens are fragile; guys go down all the time."