Dodgers notes: McCarthy, Kazmir, Gutierrez, Liberatore

LOS ANGELES -- Perusing the Dodgers disabled list, there are a pair of pitchers working their way back to varying degrees, and a pair of players whose 2017 seasons have concluded.

Brandon McCarthy starts for Class-A Rancho Cucamonga on Friday night, in Game 3 of the Quakes’ first-round California League playoff series, tied 1-1. McCarthy is expected to pitch five innings in his third rehab start, looking to rebound from blister issues that have sidelined him since late July.

Scott Kazmir hasn’t pitched in the majors all season with a hip injury, and will pitch in relief for Rancho Cucamonga on Saturday, expected to pitch three innings in relief. He pitched three scoreless innings on Monday for the Quakes in their regular season finale.

Both pitchers are on the 60-day disabled list, and would require a corresponding transaction to rejoin the active roster. Manager Dave Roberts didn’t rule out either or both pitching in the majors this season, though it does seem like a long shot.

“To give Brandon another opportunity to figure something out and compete is a good thing,” Roberts said. “After those two appearances, we’ll see what we have in those two guys.”

McCarthy wouldn’t be eligible to return until Sept. 19, after his 60 days are up. If Kazmir is activated, it wouldn’t be for any sort of playoff audition.

“For Kaz, it’s been a trying year for him with health. For him to have an opportunity to finish his season on a high note, that’s a good thing and I applaud him for wanting to see it through,” Kazmir said. “But I don’t see him on a playoff roster.”

Seasons over

Adam Liberatore, out with a left forearm strain since May 30, pitched in four minor league rehab games, but hasn’t pitched since Friday. He didn’t suffer a setback, Roberts said, but the left-hander was shut down for the rest of the year.

“After his last outing, it didn’t feel justified in coming off the disabled list. That’s his season,” Roberts said. “We expect him to come back next spring to compete for a job.”

Liberatore pitched in four major league games this season, allowing a run in 3⅓ innings, with five strikeouts and two walks.

Franklin Gutierrez is in a similar boat. The outfielder last played on June 24, out with ankylosis spondylitis, a condition that affects his immune system and that has plagued him in recent years. Like Liberatore, Gutierrez is on the 60-day DL.

“Franklin is around mentoring his teammates and he wants to be around,” Roberts said. “He won’t be activated this season.”

Gutierrez appeared in 35 games this season, starting 14. He hit .232/.317/.339 with one home run and three doubles in 63 plate appearances.