Veteran Dodgers righty Joel Peralta forced to DL for recurring neck issue

LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Dodgers put veteran reliever Joel Peralta on the disabled list Tuesday with a right neck sprain and recalled right-hander Yimi Garcia from Triple-A Oklahoma City.

It's the second time this season Peralta has been shelved by an injury that began with neck pain. The 39-year-old right-hander missed most of May and June with a sore right shoulder that radiated down from a stiff neck.

"It's happening again. I haven't been able to command the fastball and the split-finger, and that's one of the reasons they told me I've got to take a couple weeks off," Peralta said. "Nobody likes to be on the DL, especially me."

The Dodgers were in need of bullpen reinforcements after their relievers had been forced to handle 19 innings in the past five games, as all five starters struggled to some degree. The Dodgers' staff ERA over the past seven games is 7.35, worst in the National League.

Garcia, 24, has made 41 appearances for the Dodgers over the past two seasons, going 3-2 with a save and a 3.99 ERA.

"The starters are really what make your bullpen better because they're rested and strong and they come in like a bull coming out of the chute instead of a guy who's been out there every day and warming up every day, things like that," Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said.