Alex Wood activation delayed, Dodgers pitching trio on comeback trail

LOS ANGELES -- The Dodgers have delayed the return of Alex Wood by one day, still working through their options for the corresponding roster move.

Wood, who last pitched on May 30 and who had arthroscopic surgery on his left elbow on July 20, will rejoin the Dodgers on Tuesday as a relief pitcher in hopes of making the postseason roster. But Wood is on the 60-day disabled list and the Dodgers need to make space for his return to the 40-man roster.

"We planned on activating him for tonight's game, but we decided to wait another day,” manager Dave Roberts said. “We haven't decided what direction we're going to go.”

The Dodgers have three pitchers on the 15-day disabled list — Brett Anderson, Scott Kazmir and Brandon McCarthy — that could technically be placed on the 60-day DL to make room for Wood, but that doesn’t sound likely. All three are in various states of rehab.

Anderson, who pitched five strong innings in a rehab start for Triple-A Oklahoma City on Friday, is the closest to being activated, with the only real choice whether he will start or pitch in relief.

"Anderson is built up. His last start was good. We have to make a decision,” Roberts said. "I know that Brett is open to whatever we ask of him."

McCarthy plans to throw roughly five innings and 75 pitches in a simulated game on Tuesday at Dodger Stadium.

Kazmir was scratched from a potential weekend start while dealing with a blister on his left hand.

“It shouldn't affect him,” Roberts said. “We need to figure out what is the next course of action. He threw 60 pitches in his last simulated game, so obviously there needs to be some sort of build up as far as pitch count. I don't know what the next step is.”

Asked if Kazmir to the 60-day DL was a possibility for Wood, Roberts wasn’t specific.

"There are some things we're trying to figure out. We're discussing them.,” Roberts said. “Another day will give us more clarity.”

If the Dodgers don’t place one of those three on the 60-day DL, they will have to get rid of another player on the 40-man roster to make room for Wood. With the recall of infielder Micah Johnson on Monday, infielder Chris Taylor is the only player on the 40-man who is not either on the active roster or the disabled list.

Whatever the move is, we will find out on Tuesday.

Another starter now in the bullpen is Julio Urias, who will be available in relief against the Giants.

"Julio has been A plus plus,” Urias. “He's done everything we've asked of him.”