Dodgers call up Chin-hui Tsao, Josh Ravin, option Yimi Garcia & Ian Thomas to Triple-A

LOS ANGELES -- The Dodgers as expected called up relief pitcher Chin-hui Tsao from Triple-A Oklahoma City, adding a fresh arm in a taxed bullpen. But he wasn't alone, as Josh Ravin was also recalled from Triple-A.

Both a Yimi Garcia and Ian Thomas were optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City. To make room for Tsao on the 40-man roster, the Dodgers designated Eric Surkamp for assignment.

For Tsao, it's his first major league stint since 2007, also with the Dodgers. He will wear No. 44

Tsao was 2-1 with five saves and a 3.86 ERA in 21 appearances for Triple-A Oklahoma City. The 34-year-old right-hander has 31 strikeouts and five walks in 25⅔ innings in Triple-A this season. In Tsao's last major league game, on July 14, 2007, he allowed a grand slam to Randy Winn that scored Omar Vizquel, Fred Lewis and Dave Roberts.

Garcia has had an up-and-down year. He ranks fourth among major league relief pitchers with 53 strikeouts and has a respectable 3.48 FIP in his team-leading 40 appearances and 37⅓ innings. But he also has allowed seven home runs, all in his last 23 innings.

"As much as anything, we wanted him to use this time to get a breather. We've used him to this point more than he'd ever done," manager Don Mattingly said. "Also he can work on fastball command a little bit, and work on the secondary stuff. It seemed like the timing was right."

For Ravin, this is his second stint with the Dodgers this season. He allowed five runs on 11 hits in seven innings in seven games, going 2-1 with a 6.43 ERA, nine strikeouts and one walk, with two homers allowed. The former Chatsworth High School grad is happy to be home.

Home sweet home!

— Josh Ravin™ (@FreshSqueezed22) July 8, 2015

Thomas has been with the Dodgers in three stints this season, allowing four runs in five innings, with three strikeouts and three walks in his two appearances. Thomas threw 30 pitches in two scoreless innings on Tuesday night.