Dodgers place Yimi Garcia on 60-day DL

PHOENIX — The Dodgers placed pitcher Yimi Garcia on the 60-day disabled list on Wednesday, creating the space on the 40-man roster needed to finalize the club’s one-year contract with newly-signed relief pitcher Sergio Romo.

Garcia was a prime candidate on the Dodgers to be placed on the 60-day disabled list since he is expected to miss the entire 2017 season after Tommy John surgery in October.

Garcia, 26, only appeared in nine games for the Dodgers in 2016, first sidelined by a right biceps injury. He put up a 3.24 ERA in 8⅔ innings. The right-hander was one of the most trusted members of the Dodgers bullpen in 2015, posting a 3.34 ERA in 59 games, with 68 strikeouts and only 10 walks.

The Dodgers still need to finalize their one-year contracts with infielder Chase Utley and outfielder Franklin Gutierrez, but position players don’t report to camp until Monday.