LOS ANGELES -- The Dodgers recalled right-handed reliever Yimi Garcia on Monday and optioned left-handed reliever Edward Paredes to Triple-A Oklahoma City, while Tom Koehler moved closer to his return from the disabled list.
This is Garcia's third recall in his first year back from Tommy John surgery. Entering Monday's game against the Phillies, he has pitched five games for the Dodgers this season, allowing four earned runs in 4 2/3 innings. He had 12 strikeouts and no walks at Oklahoma City.
Paredes has appeared in only one game during two stints with the Dodgers this season.
"Yimi's a guy we're familiar with, he can go one-plus [innings] and he should be fresh," manager Dave Roberts said.
Koehler progressing
Koehler is on a steady and methodical recovery from a strained right shoulder capsule he sustained in Spring Training. He threw his first serious bullpen session on Monday, a significant step in his rehab.
Roberts said he's hopeful of having the right-hander in the bullpen by the All-Star break.
"Somewhere around there is fair," Roberts said.
Koehler seemed to find new life last year as a converted starter-turned-reliever and Dodgers management signed the free agent with the expectation that he would pick up some of the innings created by the loss of Brandon Morrow to free agency.
But Koehler's absence was a blow to bullpen depth and the Dodgers have had to scramble to piece together the late innings. Injuries to starting pitchers Clayton Kershaw, Rich Hill and Hyun-Jin Ryu further had a domino effect on the bullpen, as effective reliever Thomas Stripling became a starter.