Dodgers News: Brian Wilson Returns From DL; Paco Rodriguez Optioned

[new_royalslider id=”16″] A point of emphasis in the off-season for the Los Angeles Dodgers was re-signing Brian Wilson, who joined the team roughly at the midway point of the 2013 season. Coming off the second Tommy John surgery of his career, Wilson quickly paid dividends for the Dodgers last year and re-signed with the team for $10 million. The right-hander allowed one run in 13.2 innings of work during the 2013 regular season, and didn’t allow any runs in the postseason with eight strikeouts in six innings pitched.

After his second outing in 2014, Wilson was placed on the 15-day disabled list with nerve irritation in his elbow. There was no time wasted in reinstating the primary setup man, according to the official Dodgers Twitter account:

The #Dodgers today reinstated Brian Wilson from the 15-day DL and optioned Paco Rodriguez to @AbqTopes.

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) April 16, 2014

Wilson found himself on the DL after allowing three runs to the San Diego Padres in the eighth inning of a loss. Tuesday was the first day Wilson was eligible to come off the DL and the Dodgers immediately placing him on the active roster comes as no surprise. Following the completion of his five rehab assignments, Wilson proclaimed himself ready to re-join the Dodgers.

In order to make room for Wilson on the roster, Paco Rodriguez was optioned to Triple-A in a surprising move. Many believed that the return of Wilson meant the optioning of fellow right-hander Chris Withrow, or possibly the release of Brandon League. Instead the Dodgers lose a left-hander and will go on with J.P. Howell as their only lefty in the bullpen. Rodriguez was one of the team’s best relievers last season until he broke down a bit towards the end of the year due to fatigue.

It will be interesting to see how long the Dodgers go with just one southpaw for the later innings.

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Dodgers News: Reliever Brian Wilson Placed on DL, Nerve Irritation