Scott Elbert added to Dodgers roster, Red Patterson designated for assignment

SAN FRANCISCO -- The Dodgers added a second left-handed pitcher to their bullpen on Friday prior to their weekend series against the Giants in San Francisco, but it won't be Paco Rodriguez, at least not yet. The Dodgers purchased the contract of Scott Elbert from Triple-A Albuquerque.

To make room for Elbert on the 40-man roster, Red Patterson was designated for assignment.

Rodriguez, on the disabled list with a strain of the teres major muscle in his upper back, threw a pair of bullpen sessions this week, including throwing at 100 percent on Wednesday. The plan for Rodriguez was if he felt good on Thursday to throw a simulated game over the weekend, with possible activation next week. Rodriguez pitched that simulated game before Friday's game.

He last pitched for the Dodgers on Aug. 3.

Elbert last pitched for the Dodgers on Aug. 26 ... in 2012. Limited to mostly minor league rehab appearances the last two seasons after two arthroscopic procedures then Tommy John surgery on his left elbow, Elbert was designated for assignment by the Dodgers on July 29, removing him from the 40-man roster.

Elbert was outrighted to Triple-A after clearing waivers, and though with over three years of major league service time he had the right to refuse the assignment and become a free agent, he accepted the assignment.

The southpaw had a 4.91 ERA in 18 relief appearances with the Isotopes, with 15 strikeouts and seven walks in 14⅔ innings. He allowed only one unearned run over his last five appearances.

Elbert is out of options.

Patterson was drafted by the Dodgers in the 29th round in 2010 and made his major league debut on May 1. In what is to date his only major league game, Patterson allowed one run in 4⅔ in Minnesota against the Twins in a no-decision.

The 27-year-old Patterson was 5-8 with a 5.79 ERA in 29 games with Triple-A Albuquerque this season, including 20 starts, with 104 strikeouts and 43 walks in 121 innings.

The Dodgers have 10 days to decide what to do with Patterson, now off the 40-man roster. They can trade him or, if he clears waivers, can outright him back to Triple-A, as they did with Carlos Triunfel earlier in September.

The Dodgers now have 34 players on the active roster.