Dodgers option Brandon Beachy, DFA Preston Guilmet to make room for Carl Crawford

LOS ANGELES -- The Dodgers as expected activated Carl Crawford from the 60-day disabled list before Tuesday's game with the Braves. To make room, the club optioned Brandon Beachy to Triple-A Oklahoma City and designated pitcher Preston Guilmet for assignment.

Crawford last played for the Dodgers on April 27, sidelined for nearly three months with a torn oblique muscle. He spent the full allotted 20 days on his minor league rehab assignment, playing 10 games combined with Class-A Rancho Cucamonga and Triple-A Oklahoma City. Crawford in the minors hit .353/.395/.618 (12-for-34) with two doubles, two triples and a home run, playing six games in left field and four more as designated hitter.

He rejoined the team in Atlanta on Monday.

Crawford has played 15 games this season for the Dodgers, hitting .245/.260/.408 (12-for-49) with three doubles, a home run and a triple. He started 13 of the first 19 games of the season in left field, but now returns to a reduced role.

"I'm pretty sure they'll work me in whenever they can, pinch hits, spot starts, wherever they can," Crawford said on Monday.

Beachy is back after missing 23 months rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, but in each of his first two major league starts this season he lasted just four innings each time.

This move likely opens the door for Zach Lee, who struck out five and allowed two runs in his seven innings on Monday for Oklahoma City, putting him in line to start in Beachy's spot on Saturday against the Mets in New York. The Dodgers can now carry an extra position player for at least the next four games before calling up Lee.

The Dodgers also have off days next week on Monday and Thursday, which allows them to shuffle the rotation and/or bullpen such that the club might be able to carry a six-man bench through the trade deadline, which could either sort out these issues or create even more of a roster crunch.

Because Crawford was on the 60-day DL, the club needed to make room on the 40-man roster, which meant Guilmet designated for assignment. The Dodgers claimed Guilmet off waivers from the Rays on July 10. The right-hander, who turns 28 on July 27, appeared in three games for Oklahoma City, strikeout out four while walking one and allowing one run in three innings.

The Dodgers will have 10 days to trade, waive or release Guilmet, and if he clears waivers he could be sent outright back to the minors.