Howell offers versatility as lone lefty in bullpen

LOS ANGELES -- With Paul Maholm in the rotation when the Dodgers need a fifth starter and Paco Rodriguez sent to Triple-A Albuquerque, J.P. Howell is the lone left-hander in the bullpen.

Which is fine, manager Don Mattingly said, because the Dodgers don't consider him a situational lefty anyway.

"We feel like he can get left-handers and right-handers out," Mattingly said.

That was the way Howell was used with the Rays as well.

"We've got a couple of [right-handed] guys out there we're comfortable using against left-handed hitters," Mattingly said, citing Chris Withrow and Jamey Wright.