LOS ANGELES -- Lefty relief pitcher Jake McGee, back from left knee inflammation and activated from the 15-day disabled list before the Rockies' 6-1 loss to the Dodgers on Saturday night, gave up a run on two hits and a walk in one-third of an inning.
McGee started the seventh before giving way to Justin Miller, who pitched the final 1 2/3 innings. McGee said manager Walt Weiss' conversation was limited to returning him to the big league pace. When or whether he would return to the closer role was not discussed.
"My knee felt good, and it was good to get back out there and test it and push off," McGee said. "There were just a lot of foul balls tonight [which drove his pitch count to 22]. Walt just wanted to get me out of there in case he needed me [Sunday]."
The Rockies also designated lefty reliever Yohan Flande for assignment.
McGee (0-2, 5.32 ERA, 15-for-18 on save chances) had last appeared in a blown save and a loss at home against the Padres on June 10. Rookie righty Carlos Estevez (2-5, 4.45) filled in as closer and went 1-2 and converted 4 of 5 save chances in McGee's absence.
Flande has been up and down between the Rockies and the Minors, and on and off the 40-man Major League roster, for three seasons. The Rockies have 10 days to trade Flande, release him or outright him to the Minors, and Flande has the right to refuse assignment.
The club removed Flande from the 40-man roster during the offseason, but he signed a Minor League contract over the winter and earned a promotion on June 25. Flande had a 12.27 ERA in two Major League appearances.
Removing Flande leave the Rockies with 39 on their Major League roster.
Worth noting
• Weiss said outfielder Gerardo Parra (left high ankle sprain) isn't a candidate to return until after the All-Star break. He's been able to do some activities, but running has been a challenge. Parra (.263, 5 HRs, 27 RBIs) sustained the injury June 14.
• Righty reliever Adam Ottavino, who was the closer before being injured the first month of last season and undergoing Tommy John surgery, added a spotless, two-strikeout inning Saturday after pitching a perfect inning Friday during his injury rehab assignment for Triple-A Albuquerque. It was Ottavino's 10th rehab appearance, and his fifth at Albuquerque. But it was his first back-to-back assignment as he tested the crucial ability to bounce back and be useful.
• The Rockies made a key international signing -- left-handed Alfredo Jose Garcia of Venezuela for a $1 million bonus.