Rubby De La Rosa Returns From DL, Javy Guerra Optioned

In just over a year and week since his Tommy John surgery, Rubby De La Rosa is back in the major leagues. The Dodgers activated the right-hander from the 60-day disabled list on Tuesday, and optioned Javy Guerra to Triple A Albuquerque.

De La Rosa has 12 strikeouts in 12 scoreless innings in his four minor league rehab appearances, three of which were with Class A Rancho Cucamonga. De La Rosa last pitched in the majors on July 31, 2011. He underwent Tommy John surgery on August 9, 2011.

Manager Don Mattingly has previously mentioned De La Rosa as someone who could eventually help in September, likely out of the bullpen, calling anything he got from De La Rosa this season "a bonus," though that was when De La Rosa hadn't yet begun to pitch in games. De La Rosa threw 60 pitches on Saturday in Class A, and though his role with the Dodgers will likely be in relief, it's not farfetched that he could start if needed.

That Guerra was optioned is a bit surprising, especially since Shawn Tolleson, who also has options, has twice been the fall guy for a roster crunch. Guerra has pitched nine straight scoreless appearances, with 13 strikeouts and four walks in 11 1/3 innings during that span. Though he walked two of the three batters he faced in his last outing on Saturday, throwing nine balls and four strikes.

The Dodgers now have 40 players on their 40-man roster, excluding those still on the 60-day disabled list.