April 21--REPORTING FROM ATLANTA -- The Dodgers recalled left-handed reliever Luis Avilan and placed right-hander Louis Coleman on the bereavement list. Coleman left the team for the weekend to attend funeral services for his grandfather.
After using five relievers Tuesday and six Wednesday, the Dodgers flew Avilan to Atlanta as a precaution. They decided to send Coleman on leave as fellow reliever Pedro Baez completed the team's concussion protocol and was cleared to pitch.
An errant warmup throw from reliever Adam Liberatore struck Baez in the head Wednesday night, leaving him dizzy and unable to pitch. He played catch before Thursday's series finale.
The Dodgers optioned Avilan to the minors at the end of spring training. He was expected to be a lock for the big-league roster but pitched poorly in spring training.
He pitched six scoreless innings for triple-A Oklahoma City in five outings, striking out nine of the 24 batters he faced.
Crawford on the mend
Carl Crawford (lower back irritation) made it to Oklahoma City after travel issues delayed the start of his minor-league rehabilitation assignment. He will play with the Dodgers' triple-A affiliate for the next two days in Iowa before traveling to their class-A affiliate in Rancho Cucamonga for a game Sunday.
Andy.mccullough@latimes.com
Twitter: @McCulloughTimes
