Dodgers add veteran reliever Santos

SAN DIEGO -- The Dodgers continued their daily roster tinkering on Friday, purchasing the contract of right-handed reliever Sergio Santos, optioning Thursday starting pitcher Mike Bolsinger back to Triple-A Oklahoma City and designating for assignment left-handed reliever Xavier Cedeno.

Still to come is naming a starting pitcher for Sunday and a corresponding move, although manager Don Mattingly wouldn't announce one. The two most logical contenders are Joe Wieland and Zach Lee. Wieland was scratched from his Friday night start for Oklahoma City.

Santos, who had a 3.86 ERA over 4 2/3 innings for Oklahoma City, hasn't pitched since Tuesday, so he provides a relatively fresh arm to a bullpen that was taxed while the Dodgers were swept in San Francisco. He has experience as a Major League closer and the Dodgers don't have one as they await next month's return of Kenley Jansen from foot surgery.

Bolsinger was sent back after allowing one run to the Giants in 5 2/3 innings of Thursday's loss.

Cedeno was purchased from the Nationals on Wednesday, and the Dodgers feel he will clear waivers so he can be outrighted to Oklahoma City.

Mattingly said the series of roster moves is "part of the plan" since the club left Spring Training, knowing when a fifth starter was needed and using that spot to fill in with extra relievers between those starts.

The frequent roster shuffling -- acquisitions, designations for assignment and outrights -- of players like Cedeno, Daniel Corcino, Ryan Dennick and David Huff apparently is the club's way of stockpiling more pitching depth than the Minor League system has been able to produce.