League staying in Arizona to pitch in Minors camp

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Reliever Brandon League won't be going to Australia, as he was to pitch in a Minor League game Sunday and continue that all week. He said he will rejoin the Dodgers in time for the Freeway Series against the Angels beginning March 27.

League has struggled in Spring Training games, having allowed five earned runs in 2 2/3 innings with four walks and a strikeout. He's likely to be on the three-man exempt list for the Australia roster along with pitchers Zack Greinke and Dan Haren.

"We feel like this is the best for him, to pitch over there [on the Minor League side]. He basically got behind early in camp and I think he feels like he rushed a little bit to try to get back in line with everybody else," Mattingly said. "The ball is still coming out good. There's nothing wrong with his arm.

"For us, it's getting the habits back that we're trying to work on and trying to put him in a situation to work that's not going to go backwards."

League had a lat issue early in camp but is not a candidate for the disabled list, Mattingly said.