Dodgers closer Javy Guerra had a rough week. He entered three games with the Dodgers either tied or ahead, and each time he left the game with the Dodgers trailing. He suffered two losses, and would have suffered a third defeat were it not for a ninth inning Dodgers rally on Saturday against Washington.
To top it all off, Guerra was also struck squarely in the jaw by a line drive, though amazingly did not suffer an injury on the play, except perhaps to his confidence.
Dodgers manager Don Mattingly, however, stuck by Guerra, saying he has no plans to make a change at the closer position.
"I kind of look at it like, we're 21 games in, and what's the alternative, and what happens if you make a change and it doesn't work out? Then where do I go?" Mattingly asked before Sunday's game. "Do I drop it in Mac's (Mike MacDougal) lap, or go to (Josh) Lindblom? Do we keep going down the list and make it a tryout camp at that point?"
Guerra has retired just six of his last 16 batters faced, allowing five runs during that span and saw his ERA rise to 6.10. But Mattingly said it's too early to make a change.
"I'm 21 games in. I'm not panicking on any level with anybody," Mattingly said. "We're 15-6 and we're playing pretty good, and I'm not willing to just throw all our plans out the window."
Kenley Jansen was called upon Sunday for the save instead of Guerra, but Mattingly insisted after the game that Guerra was still his closer and that Jansen on Sunday was simply "the freshest arm" after Guerra threw 22 pitches on Saturday night.
Through 22 games, Guerra has pitched in 12 games and setup man Kenley Jansen has pitched 14 games. Mattingly said he will rely on not only Guerra and Jansen, but other relievers as well as the season goes forward.
"At some point, we can't throw those two out there every time," Mattingly said. "There's going to be a lot of people who are going to have to get big outs for us."
NOTES, QUOTES
Coffey to be activated on Monday
--RHP Todd Coffey was eligible to come off the disabled list Sunday, but the Dodgers plan to activate the reliever on Monday in Colorado, giving Coffey an extra day of rest after pitching one inning in a rehab assignment on Friday.
--RHP Nathan Eovaldi was optioned to Class AA Chattanooga after Sunday's game against the Nationals. Eovaldi, 22, was only with the Dodgers for three days and didn't pitch in any of the three games against Washington.
--IF/OF Jerry Hairston Jr. was hit in the hand by a Stephen Strasburg fastball on Saturday and had to be removed from the game. However, x-rays were negative.
--OF/1B Juan Rivera missed two games after straining his left hamstring Tuesday night against the Braves, but was able to return for pinch hitting duty on Saturday against the Nationals. Rivera is close to being able to return to the field.
"We feel like we're over the hump, but now I don't want to panic and do it a day early, and end up with him going backwards," manager Don Mattingly said.
--RHP Matt Guerrier is eligible to be activated from the disabled list on Friday, May 4, but the right-handed relief pitcher won't be ready to return that soon. Guerrier just started playing light catch on Saturday, and the Dodgers will play in cautious regarding Guerrier's elbow tendonitis.
"He's just starting the process of really getting back," said manager Don Mattingly.
BY THE NUMBERS: 6 -- Quality starts in six games on the homestand for the Dodgers, who went 4-2. Dodgers starters combined for a 1.73 ERA and averaged 6.94 inning per start during the homestand.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I understand the clamoring and what people say I should do, but at this point I don't think it's the right thing." -- Manager Don Mattingly, when asked if he would remove the struggling Javy Guerra as his closer.
