Dodgers pitcher J.P. Howell is healthy despite time off

On two separate occasions in Sunday’s game, Manager Dave Roberts chose a less experienced left-handed reliever to pitch over veteran J.P. Howell. Afterward, both Roberts and Howell insisted that Howell was healthy. He has not pitched since recording five outs against Atlanta last Wednesday.

Howell has a 10.13 earned-run average in seven outings.

Roberts sent Adam Liberatore to the mound in the seventh inning. As Chris Hatcher combusted in the eighth, Roberts opted for Luis Avilan over Howell. Liberatore pitched a scoreless inning, but Avilan gave up two runs.

“There’s nothing going on [with J.P.],” Roberts said. “For me, with [the Rockies], I saw different matchups that I liked. J.P. will be rested so when we get home, I expect him to pitch in that Marlins series.”

andy.mccullough@latimes.com

Twitter: @McCulloughTimes