Ryu slated for Wednesday; Maholm to bullpen

PHOENIX -- Left-hander Hyun-Jin Ryu is expected to be activated to start for the Dodgers on Wednesday night against the Mets, manager Don Mattingly said Sunday.

Mattingly conceded that the club will then face a "difficult" roster move to make room for Ryu, who has been on the disabled list since April 28 with left shoulder-blade inflammation. He said that Paul Maholm, who had been starting in Ryu's absence, will move to the bullpen.

Most of the current relievers -- Brian Wilson, Chris Perez, J.P. Howell, Jamey Wright and Maholm -- have guaranteed contracts and cannot be optioned to the Minor Leagues. Closer Kenley Jansen and Chris Withrow can be optioned, but that's unlikely considering their late-inning roles.

Placing a pitcher on the disabled list would be the simplest solution, and considering the usage required over the first six weeks of the season, a previously undisclosed injury wouldn't be a shock.

The Dodgers also could free up a roster spot by optioning Chone Figgins or Scott Van Slyke to the Minor Leagues. The Dodgers would still have more outfielders than they can play, but keeping 13 pitchers would weaken the bench.

Mattingly said Maholm would provide long-relief coverage as well as serve as a second bullpen lefty to Howell.

"We've had enough games, not just like last night [6 1/3 innings of relief], but extra-inning games you get into where it would have been nice to have a guy, OK, give him four or five innings and not have to patch together and know you're out of pitchers in the 11th," Mattingly said.