Erik Bedard retires

LOS ANGELES -- Dodgers pitcher Erik Bedard has decided to retire rather than continue his comeback from a teres major muscle strain earlier this year.

Bedard was placed on the voluntary retired list on Thursday by Class-A Rancho Cucamonga, after the 36-year-old made three starts for the Quakes, allowing eight runs on 16 hits in 14⅓ innings, with seven strikeouts and one walk.

His last start for Rancho Cucamonga was June 4, during which he allowed two home runs. He will remain in the Dodgers organization as a minor league instructor.

"He was a great presence this spring, and while we're disappointed for him that he didn't feel like he could pitch at his accustomed level, we're thrilled he's staying in the organization," Dodgers general manager Farhan Zaidi said. "His pitching knowledge and experience will be a tremendous asset for our younger players."

Bedard signed a minor league contract with the Dodgers on January 15, looking to become one of the Dodgers' starting options beyond its planned five in the rotation.

"I know where I stand," Bedard said early in spring training. "The game is still fun, and I like playing baseball."

But a teres major muscle strain - the same injury that sidelined both Clayton Kershaw and Paco Rodriguez in 2014 - suffered in a March 20 start in a spring training game in San Antonio put Bedard on the shelf for two months.

Bedard pitched in 11 big league seasons for the Orioles, Mariners, Red Sox, Pirates, Astros and Rays.

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In other minor league transactions on Thursday, outfielder Johan Mieses and pitcher Joe Broussard were both promoted from Class-A Great Lakes to Rancho Cucamonga.

Mieses doesn't turn 20 until July 13, and hit .277/.320/.440 in 45 games for the Loons in his first pro season in the United States, and takes with him a seven-game hitting streak, during which he is 10-for-25 (.400) with two home runs, two doubles and a triple.

Broussard, drafted by the Dodgers in the 15th round in 2014, had 38 strikeouts against only four walks in 33⅔ innings for Great Lakes this season, with a 2.41 ERA.

Another 2014 draft, ninth-rounder Matt Campbell, was activated off the disabled list on Thursday and will make his 2015 season debut with Great Lakes.

Joel Peralta will begin his minor league rehab assignment with one inning to start tonight's Rancho Cucamonga game at home. Peralta, sidelined with a sore shoulder and a pinched nerve in his neck, last pitched in a game on April 23.