Broxton Gets Elevated as Carter Is Demoted

Attention minor league pitchers. Want to be called up to the big leagues? Follow the formula of Jonathan Broxton.

Don’t allow a run the first month of the season.

And it doesn’t hurt when a pitcher on the major league club -- in this case Lance Carter -- repeatedly implodes.

Broxton, promoted Monday, gave up six hits in 11 1/3 scoreless innings, notching five saves and striking out 18 while walking only three at triple-A Las Vegas. But bringing up the big right-handed rookie involved more than gaudy numbers.

The Dodgers ran out of patience with Carter, a veteran acquired from the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. His earned-run average was 7.45 in 9 2/3 innings, and he walked seven.

Those videotapes that Carter had asked his father to send to L.A.? Forward them to Las Vegas.

“This is a case of sending your car to the shop to get it fixed,” Manager Grady Little said. “Lance has a history of being a strike thrower. He has to get his mechanics straightened out.”

General Manager Ned Colletti would have preferred that Broxton spend more time at Las Vegas improving his slider and quickening his delivery to the plate with runners on base.

But blowing a five-run lead in the ninth inning, as the Dodgers did Sunday at San Diego, triggered a reaction. So in addition to young left-hander Hong-Chih Kuo being replaced by veteran Joe Beimel, young Broxton replaced the veteran Carter.

“We felt we needed a pitcher who can throw strikes,” Colletti said. “I’m convinced Broxton deserves a chance.”

Broxton, 6 feet 3 and 288 pounds, pitched 14 2/3 innings for the Dodgers in two stints last season, posting a 5.93 ERA while striking out 22 and walking 12.

“I’m more relaxed and not so antsy and nervous,” he said. “I don’t think I have to punch out everybody with my fastball anymore. I can use my slider.”

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Left-handed reliever Kelly Wunsch suffered a setback recently in his rehabilitation from shoulder soreness and is not close to being a bullpen option. He stopped throwing a few days ago and is doing only strengthening exercises at Las Vegas, trainer Stan Johnston said.

Wunsch was effective against left-handed batters in 45 appearances for the Dodgers last season. He experienced soreness in late March, however, and hasn’t pitched since.

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Eric Gagne made 50 throws from 75 feet and said he felt good. . . . Of closer Danys Baez’s blown save Sunday, Little said: “He sees the flow of the game and we’re ahead, 5-0, against a team struggling offensively. He’s probably thinking more about somebody sitting in the third row than getting ready for the situation. That’s human nature.”