Dodgers designate Will Venable for assignment

LOS ANGELES -- The Dodgers made official their choice to call up pitcher Nick Tepesch to start Friday's series openeragainst the Pirates in Pittsburgh, and in a corresponding roster move designated outfielder Will Venable for assignment.

That opens up a spot on both the 40-man and active roster for Tepesch.

Venable was signed by the Dodgers to a major league deal on June 14, after the veteran outfielder opted out of his minor league contract with the Phillies. He was 1-for-10 with a double and a hit by pitch.

Venable appeared in six of nine games since joining the Dodgers, including two starts in right field. The Dodgers will have 10 days to trade, release or pass Venable through waivers. Should he clear waivers the club could send him outright to the minors, but he has the requisite major league service time to decline such an assignment should he so choose.

This leaves the Dodgers without a left-handed batter on the bench on most nights, and puts the Dodgers back at 13 pitchers on the 25-man active roster.

Tepesch will wear uniform number 48 with the Dodgers.

Pirates moves

Pittsburgh was busy too with roster moves on Friday, with old friend Juan Nicasio activated from the restricted list, presumably to make his start on Sunday. The Pirates also recalled outfielder Adam Frazier from Triple-A Indianapolis, where the 2013 sixth-round pick was hitting .333/.401/.425.

The Pirates also optioned catcher Jacob Stallings to Triple-A, and designated both infielder Cole Figueroa and pitcher Jorge Rondon for assignment.