Dodgers’ Rubby De La Rosa is out with injured elbow

Rookie right-hander Rubby De La Rosa, one of the few pleasant surprises in a turbulent season, became another source of despair for the Dodgers on Monday night.

An MRI exam De La Rosa underwent in the afternoon revealed the 22-year-old rookie right-hander had a sprained elbow ligament that could sideline him for the remainder of the season.

The Dodgers’ medical staff hasn’t decided on a course of treatment, but surgery is a possibility, a team spokesman said.

Complaining of soreness in his elbow, De La Rosa was placed on the 15-day disabled list before the Dodgers learned of the extent of his injury. De La Rosa, who regularly hits 100 mph on the radar gun, was a day removed from throwing 103 pitches in only four innings.

John Ely was recalled from triple-A Albuquerque to take De La Rosa’s place on the active roster.

Trainer Stan Conte said De La Rosa told him he felt something in the third inning of the Dodgers’ 6-3 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks on Sunday.

“He looked different yesterday,” Manager Don Mattingly said. “His body language. He wasn’t working as quick. His tempo and everything was off.”

De La Rosa was charged with five runs and served up consecutive home runs to Ryan Roberts and Gerardo Parra.

De La Rosa’s next start was previously scheduled for Friday. Because the Dodgers have a day off Thursday, they are considering pitching Clayton Kershaw on regular rest Friday to avoid having to find an immediate replacement for De La Rosa in the rotation.

Manager remains behind Kuo

Hong-Chih Kuo has looked nothing like the Hong-Chih Kuo of 2010, but Mattingly said he is convinced the left-handed reliever can still pitch the way he did in his All-Star season.

“I know it’s there,” Mattingly said. “The guy that was there last year is there.”

Kuo, who posted a franchise-record 1.20 earned-run average last season, has an ERA of 12.46 in 22 games this year. He was roughed up Sunday, as he was charged with two runs, three hits and a walk in an inning.

Conte said Kuo has to continue battling the anxiety disorder that landed him on the disabled list this season.

“That kind of issue doesn’t go away,” Conte said.

But Conte pointed out that Kuo also pitched with the condition last year.

For his part, Kuo said he is feeling fine.

“I feel like I’m getting better,” he said.

Remember him?

Jonathan Broxton, who has been on the disabled list since May 4 with a bruised elbow, could start a throwing program early next week. “Ninety-five percent of everything is gone,” Conte said. “We’re waiting for the other 5% to go away.”

dylan.hernandez@latimes.com