Dodgers activate Joel Peralta from DL, option Matt West & Daniel Coulombe to Triple-A Oklahoma City

LOS ANGELES -- The Dodgers before Monday's game with the Cubs in Chicago activated relief pitcher Joel Peralta from the disabled list, welcoming back the 39-year-old right-hander to the bullpen after missing over eight weeks with right shoulder soreness and a pinched nerve in his neck.

To make room on the roster, Matt West and Daniel Coulombe were both optioned back to Triple-A. The club took a while to announce the other Monday transaction, as  Ian Thomas was still on his way to Chicago.

But Thomas did get to Wrigley Field before game time and was officially recalled.

Peralta pitched in five minor league rehab games in nine days, starting with three games with Class-A Rancho Cucamonga then two games with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday and Friday. Peralta said he felt his best during his final rehab game.

"I feel good, I'm hitting my spots," he said. "The last day was better. I had more movement."

Peralta said he was throwing 89 mph on Friday, which is normal for him. In his five rehab games Peralta allowed four runs on six hits in 4⅔ innings, with one strikeout and one walk. But as is almost always the case with rehabbing players, these games are more about getting in reps and getting ready rather than the game outcomes.

"You dont look much at results, you look at how you feel," Peralta said. "The first day [in Rancho Cucamonga] I gave up two runs. If you look at results, I'd have to go to rookie ball."

Peralta in the majors this season has yet to allow a run in seven appearances, going 1-0 with three saves, with four strikeouts and three walks in 5⅔ innings. He last pitched for the Dodgers on April 23.

West made his Dodgers debut on Saturday, pitching the final two innings of the loss to the Giants. He also pitched an inning on Sunday, combining for three scoreless innings in his second major league stint of the season. The Dodgers brought him up as a fresh arm in the bullpen and he pitched twice in his two days on the big club.

Coulombe made 23 pitches on Friday and 34 more on Sunday, making him essentially unavailable for a day or two. Thomas, who has been stretched out as a starter with OKC, last pitched on Wednesday in Triple-A, allowing one run in six innings while throwing 62 pitches.