Rookies sound, but club still seeks 'pen help

TORONTO -- Dodgers relievers have an 0.47 ERA in their last 12 games while limiting opposing hitters to a .160 batting average.

So, why are the Dodgers rumored to be looking for bullpen help, with Milwaukee's Francisco Rodriguez the new hot target?

"It's like you're asking me to say who's not good enough, but you're always trying to get better all the time," said manager Don Mattingly.

"We've still got a couple of young guys, we like their stuff, but we're not sure they're all the way ready for what we're doing here."

Specifically, they would be rookies Jose Dominguez and Chris Withrow. Dominguez has a 2.35 ERA in eight games, Withrow a 3.60 ERA in seven games. In the crunch time of a stretch run, however, the current Dodgers management team always looks for veteran bullpen help.

Among the relievers the Dodgers have acquired midseason during general manager Ned Colletti's tenure are Elmer Dessens, Scott Proctor, George Sherrill, Octavio Dotel, Randy Choate and Brandon League.

And they are still waiting on Carlos Marmol, acquired from the Cubs July 2. He allowed two homers in three appearances at Class A Rancho Cucamonga, but has thrown two scoreless innings most recently at Double-A Chattanooga.