Dodgers recall Daniel Coulombe from Triple-A Oklahoma City

LOS ANGELES -- The Dodgers on Monday recalled left-hander Daniel Coulombe and from Oklahoma City before their series opener against the Brewers in Milwaukee.

Coulombe had a 1.74 ERA in eight appearances with Oklahoma City, allowing three runs (two earned) on four hits and four walks in 10⅓ innings, striking out 16 of his 39 batters faced (41 percent). In Triple-A he was dominating right-handed batters, striking out 13 of 27 (48.1 percent) allowing only two singles and two walks.

"He's got like a starter's mix, with multiple pitches. When you have multiple pitches, it gives you a better chance to pitch multiple innings, so you're not just a one-guy-out lefty," manager Don Mattingly said when Coulombe was optioned to minor league camp in spring training. "He can spin the breaking ball with a lot of guys. His breaking ball is going to work in the big leagues. What's going to separate him and take him to the next level is fastball command."

Coulombe made his major league debut with the Dodgers last September, appearing in five games with a 4.15 ERA, four strikeouts and two walks in 4⅓ innings.

He takes the spot of pitcher Scott Baker, who was designated for assignment on Sunday, the Dodgers still have 13 pitchers and 12 position players on the active roster.

The Dodgers now have four left-handed pitchers among the nine relievers on the roster — Coulombe, J.P. Howell, Paco Rodriguez and Adam Liberatore.

Seven different relief pitchers pitched on Sunday, and the club needed 15⅓ innings out of its bullpen over the last three days. Coulombe last pitched on Saturday, throwing 16 pitches while recording four outs, and has pitched only twice in the last nine days.