Dodgers Place Todd Coffey On 15-Day Disabled List, Activate Ted Lilly

As expected, the Dodgers activated Ted Lilly from the 15-day disabled list on Saturday afternoon, as the left-hander will start tonight against the San Diego Padres. To make room for Lilly on the active roster, the Dodgers placed relief pitcher Todd Coffey on the 15-day disabled list with anterior inflammation in his right knee, as hinted last night.

"It's definitely a situation where if this were later in the season and it had to be pushed through, it's no problem," Coffey said. "It seems kind of silly right now to man up and push through something that we can get completely knocked out and ready to go 100%."

Coffey has pitched in three games this season and has allowed four runs on four hits in one inning, with one walk, one strikeout, and on hit batter. Six of the nine batters Coffey has faced have reached base.

"The velocity is there, 93 to 95. The movement is there," Coffey said. "It's just that last little bit of movement at the end and not being able to finish your pitch."

"It's too early to be messing around and letting this turn into something bigger," said manager Don Mattingly.

The move allows Josh Lindblom to remain in the Dodgers bullpen, in which he has been given ever increasing responsibility. Lindblom pitched a pair of two-inning stints in San Diego after short outings by the starters, then pitched the last two nights with leads in the seventh and eighth innings.

Lindblom has pitched six scoreless innings with four strikeouts, retiring 16 of the 20 batters he has faced. He has impressed Mattingly, but the manager also noted that this is a temporary situation.

"Josh has got options. If Ted doesn't get hurt, Josh isn't here at all. He has been a welcome addition for us, but at the same time when you start with a plan you're going to stay with it.

Coffey will take next three days off to receive treatment, and then will return to the mound. He will travel with the team on the upcoming road trip to Milwaukee and Houston, and then pitch in two minor league games on a rehab assignment. Coffey said he would be ready to pitch on the first day he is eligible to come off the disabled list, which is April 29.