Dodgers recall Paco Rodriguez from triple A

Reporting from St. Louis â€”  The Dodgers recalled left-hander Paco Rodriguez on Friday before the start of their three-game series against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium.

This will be the 23-year-old Rodriguez’s third time in the major leagues this season. In 10 games with the Dodgers, he posted a 6.43 earned-run average.

In 29 games with triple-A Albuquerque in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League, Rodriguez had a 4.56 ERA.

In Rodriguez, Manager Don Mattingly will have a second late-inning, left-handed option to go with J.P. Howell.

One of the team’s most frequently used relievers last season, Rodriguez has spent the majority of this season in the minors in large part because of a surplus of arms in the bullpen.

When Josh Beckett landed on the disabled list last week, Paul Maholm was moved from the bullpen into the rotation. The Dodgers initially called up Pedro Baez, whom they optioned to triple A on Sunday.