Joel Peralta, Carlos Frias, Mike Bolsinger inching closer to Dodgers return

LOS ANGELES -- Pitchers a Joel Peralta and Carlos Frias are both on minor rehab assignments and figure to rejoin the Dodgers once active roster limits expand on Tuesday, part of a group of pitchers that could be called up either Sept. 1 or soon thereafter.

The only question is exactly when both will rejoin the team, though it sounds like both will be in the Dodgers bullpen within the next week.

"I'm not sure what we'll do on the first. I'm not sure if they want [Frias] down there another outing or two, but it seems like Joel is ready," manager Don Mattingly said before Sunday's series finale against the Cubs.

Peralta pitched scoreless innings for Double-A Tulsa on Wednesday and Friday, and was scheduled to throw another inning on Sunday night. He last pitched for the Dodgers on Aug. 9, sideline since with a neck sprain.

Frias pitched two scoreless innings in relief for Triple-A Oklahoma City on Friday, and could make a few more relief appearances in Triple-A before rejoining the Dodgers. Of his 21 appearances this year in the majors and minors, 17 have been starts. But his role in September and perhaps October will be in the bullpen.

"We're thinking more along the lines of relief for him," Mattingly said.

Mike Bolsinger could be among the first wave of call-ups on Tuesday, but the Dodgers still haven't decided whether to slot him in after the Giants series to give the pitching staff an extra day of rest or to have him make one more start with Triple-A before returning to the Dodgers.

"He's a guy we've discussed a lot. The benefits of one more start or another outing as opposed to bringing him up," Mattingly said. "I don't think we've finalized who we're bringing up, but he's definitely in the conversation."

Bolsinger, who is 5-3 with a 2.83 ERA in 16 starts for the Dodgers this season, put up a 2.93 ERA in August for Oklahoma City after getting demoted down to Triple-A, wth 33 strikeouts and 12 walks in 27⅔ innings. He struck out 11 in seven shutout innings on Saturday.

Adam Liberatore, another possible Tuesday call up, pitched a scoreless inning for Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sunday.

Yimi Garcia, who was optioned to Triple-A on Aug. 24, also pitched a scoreless inning on Sunday. His earliest possible return date is Thursday.

Jharel Cotton, not on the 40-man, pitched 2⅓ innings of scoreless relief in his second appearance out of the bullpen on Sunday, allowing two singles and a walk while striking out one.