Paco Rodriguez Heading to the DL with Elbow Problems, Matt West Called Up

Here we go again. Another injury, as the injuries continue to mount for the Dodgers. Now it’s left handed reliever Paco Rodriguez. Apparently his elbow is bothering him, and he’s headed back to Los Angeles to have it examined. The Dodgers have called up right hander Matt West to replace him on the roster. He’s listed as a reserve for Sunday’s game. Maybe it’s time to consider bringing in a new medical staff? Although he has hardly been used this year.

Paco told the club that he is not in any pain, but is unable to finish his pitches properly. He has not “bite” on his pitches, and hasn’t felt right the last several appearances. In the meantime this leaves Adam Liberatote, and J.P. Howell as the only left handers remaining in the Dodger bullpen.

The Dodgers acquired right hander Matt West from the Blue Jays back on May 4. West is a 26-year old converted pitcher. He was a third baseman previously. He hasn’t been pitching long. He’s pitched in 96 minor league games since 2011. West has posted a 3.57 ERA, and a 9.9 strikeouts per nine rate. This year in Tulsa he’s pitched in five games, posting a 0.87 ERA, and ten strikeouts in ten innings. He was originally drafted by the Astros in the second round of the 2007 amateur draft, and is a native of Houston, Texas.

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Paco has pitched in 18 games this year for the Dodgers, and posted a 2.61 ERA in 10.1 innings of work. He’s allowed ten hits, and struck out eight. Paco has a career 2.54 ERA in 124 major league games. He’s posted a 9.6 strikeout per nine rate across 85.1 MLB innings.