Dodgers place struggling Joel Peralta back on DL, recall Yimi Garcia

Those hoping from some kind of significant shakeup in the Dodgers’ bullpen had to be satisfied with something less than the blow torch routine.

The Dodgers did make a move Tuesday, placing right-hander Joel Peralta on the disabled list with the same neck issue that sidelined him in April, and brought back Yimi Garcia from triple-A Oklahoma City.

This will be Garcia’s third stint with the Dodgers. He started spectacularly (one earned run and 23 strikeouts in his first 14 1/3 innings), but had been uneven since (16 earned runs, 31 strikeouts in 24 innings).

But Peralta, 39, has been consistently awful since returning from his first two-month trip to the DL on June 23 (12 earned runs, four homers in 14 1/3 innings).

“It doesn’t feel as bad as last time,” Peralta said. “But we’re trying to avoid it getting worse.”

Peralta said he’s not even in any particular pain when he throws, but is unable to finish his pitches.

“I’m not even feeling pain or soreness, it’s just affecting the command,” he said. “That’s what the trainers are saying.”

Peralta said there was no sleep issue like last time, when he woke up in pain.

“It’s not like before, but it’s on its way and we don’t want to let it get there,” Manager Don Mattingly said. “Last time he tried to pitch through it and we ended up in trouble.”

Because Mike Bolsinger appeared in relief in his last appearance for Oklahoma City, some had thought he would be the next reliever to be called up, but Mattingly said they have to keep Bolsinger ready as a starter should anyone in the rotation go down to injury.

“He’s the next guy,” Mattingly said. “We can’t have him pitching out of the pen and then a starter goes down and then we don’t have a starter.

“We feel like Yimi is the right guy for right now.”

The bullpen could have another move later this week. Chris Hatcher (oblique) is eligible to come off the 60-day disabled list Friday and Mattingly said he will be activated and join the team close to his eligibility date.

The Dodgers were hopeful that Hatcher would emerge as an eighth-inning guy this season, but he struggled (6.38 ERA in 18 1/3 innings) prior to going on the DL. But in seven rehab appearances, he posted the exact same 6.38 ERA.