SAN FRANCISCO — The Dodgers found a way to make Stephen Fife eligible to start Friday night’s game against the Giants by placing left-handed reliever Scott Elbert on the 15-day disabled list with left elbow inflammation.
Nathan Eovaldi was originally scheduled to start Friday night, but was traded Wednesday to the Marlins in the Hanley Ramirez deal. That left the Dodgers without a starter for Friday and with few options in the Minor Leagues.
Fife wasn’t legally an option, because after making a solid debut start against the Roy Halladay and the Phillies on July 17, he was optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque the next day. A player cannot be recalled within 10 days of an option unless he replaces an injured player. Elbert is the injured player Fife now replaces.
Elbert has been dealing with tenderness for several weeks, and the club nearly had to disable him early this month while in Arizona. That is a key reason the Dodgers wanted veteran lefty reliever Randy Choate, who was included in the Ramirez deal.
In his last appearance Tuesday night, Elbert walked the only batter he faced. He is 1-1 with a 2.45 ERA in 39 games.
Ken Gurnick is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
