Dodgers call up veteran reliever Peter Moylan, demote Javy Guerra

Before starting a three-game series in Denver on Friday, the Dodgers, as expected, made a roster move.

Just not the one anticipated, unless your memory goes back to spring training. The Dodgers called up a minor leaguer, only not one named Yasiel Puig or Joc Pederson.

The Dodgers called up right-hander Peter Moylan from triple-A Albuquerque and sent reliever Javy Guerra back to the Isotopes.

Moylan had a clause in his contract that allowed him to become a free agent if he was not with the big club by June 1, so, wanting to keep him, the Dodgers were forced into this move.

To make room on the 40-man roster, the Dodgers moved left-hander Scott Elbert to the 60-day disabled list. Since Elbert has already spent 60 days on the DL and should be ready to be activated soon, this is a strangely temporary move.

Moylan, 34, was 20-9 with a 2.59 earned-run average from 2006 to 2012 with the Atlanta Braves. At Albuquerque this season he was 2-1 with a 3.52 ERA in 18 appearances.

The demotion of Guerra (0-0, 6.75 ERA in nine games) leaves the Dodgers without a designated long reliever, but they did not want to lose Moylan the way they had Kevin Gregg, who had an out if he was not with the club on opening day. He was released and is now closing for the Chicago Cubs.

So with no center fielder called up and Matt Kemp on the disabled list, the Dodgers are going with another patchwork lineup Friday in Denver. This one’s a killer. Skip Schumaker starts in center, with Ramon Hernandez not only starting at catcher but batting cleanup.

Carl Crawford, who crashed hard into the left-field wall at Angel Stadium Thursday night, is not in the lineup despite the Rockies’ starting right-hander Jon Garland. Scott Van Slyke starts in left.