This turns into a major sibling rivalry

They never thought much about the possibility growing up.

Jeff and Jered Weaver were separated by six years and never played together or against each other at any level in any sport.

Their one-on-one battles were confined to some not-so-friendly ping-pong matches and basketball games in their neighborhood.

“I threw my weight around and felt pretty good about tearing up a 16-year-old,” said Jeff, who was then 22.

The stakes will be significantly raised tonight when Weaver versus Weaver moves to Angel Stadium, where the Northridge natives will become the eighth set of brothers to face each other in the major leagues and the first since Alan and Andy Benes in September 2002.

“What are the chances of a family producing two major league pitchers and them pitching against each other?” Angels Manager Mike Scioscia wondered aloud. “It’s going to be interesting.”

The brothers’ parents canceled plans to attend a wedding so they could see Jered continue his push for All-Star consideration against Jeff, a member of a Dodgers team with the best record in baseball.

“I definitely think they’ll root for Jeff,” said Jered, trying hard to suppress a smile. “They loved him a lot growing up.”

The brothers described themselves as each other’s biggest fans, though Jeff, 32, conceded that wasn’t the case when he got his driver’s license and Jered incessantly tried to tag along.

But the boys became closer as they got older, Jered shagging fly balls and poking around in the clubhouse in 1999 when Jeff was a rookie with the Detroit Tigers. They were briefly teammates in 2006 when Jeff pitched for the Angels and nearly faced each other the following year when Jeff was a member of the Seattle Mariners.

Tonight, they’ll finally get that chance.

“You never know how things are going to work out in baseball,” Jeff said. “It’s a crazy ride.”

He’s back . . . for now

James McDonald’s return to the Dodgers is expected to be a short one.

The rookie right-hander was recalled Friday from triple-A Albuquerque as bullpen insurance with closer Jonathan Broxton nursing a sore toe and relievers Claudio Vargas and Will Ohman on the disabled list. Right-hander Travis Schlichting was optioned back to Albuquerque to make room for McDonald.

But Manager Joe Torre said he told McDonald that his stay would be temporary, probably lasting only through the weekend.

Torre said he held Broxton out as a precaution for a third consecutive game, but Broxton said he should be available tonight.

McDonald opened the season as the Dodgers’ fifth starter but struggled before being sent to the minors last month. He said he benefited from the demotion.

Short hops

Torre said Manny Ramirez’s return from a 50-game drug suspension next month could be uncomfortable for a while “because he’s not going to be allowed to just play baseball” with the Dodgers on the road for Ramirez’s first nine games. Ramirez is eligible to rejoin the Dodgers on July 3 in San Diego. “I think once he gets through the road trip, once he gets home, I think it’ll be a little closer to normal,” Torre said. . . . The Dodgers signed fourth-round draft pick Mario Songco, an outfielder from Loyola Marymount.

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ben.bolch@latimes.com