#Dodgers today recalled Javy Guerra (#48) from @abqtopes and optioned Josh Wall to Albuquerque.

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) April 30, 2013

Wall has been utterly atrocious in his short time with the club. Last night Colorado hammered the 26 year old right hander for seven runs and eight hits in two innings during the Dodger’s 12-2 loss. Wall is 0-1 this season in seven innings pitched. He has allowed 14 runs and 17 hits, which includes three walks, and seven whiffs, His ERA is an unfathomable 18.00.

Welcome Back Javy!-Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Meanwhile Javy Guerra never made the opening day roster and started the season in Albuquerque. Guerra has actually been starting for the Topes this year. He’s made four starts, but has pitched only 15 innings this season. It looks like they were just trying to build arm strength, since he only pitched 15 frames. Guerra is 0-2 this season for the Isotopes, with a 4.02 ERA, with 16 whiffs and seven walks.

Javy was the team’s closer from 2011-2012, but was demoted to middle relief last season after he was struck in the face by a Brian McCann line drive, and then struggled afterwards. He also has battled several injuries over the last two seasons. In 2012 he battled an oblique injury, and then also had shoulder surgery during last winter. During the spring, Guerra continued to have injury problems, with a sore groin, that prevented him from gaining the necessary arm strength to be ready for opening day. Last season Guerra pitched in 45 games for the Dodgers, and posted a 2.45 ERA, with 8 saves, 37 whiffs, and 23 walks in 45 innings pitched. Guerra has a major league career 2.45 ERA in 92 games, and has 29 big league saves under his belt.

I have always liked Guerra, and felt he should have made the opening day roster all along. Javy throws very hard, with a plus fastball, and curve. He mixes in a cutter, and has shown ability to mix in other secondary pitches as well into his pitching arsenal. Can the Dodgers keep the other zombies in the bullpen from infecting Javy with their box of pain disease? I sure hope so.

I am happy to see the Dodgers doing something to improve the overall quality of the bullpen, and I think this should help tremendously. I expect more moves in the coming weeks to strengthen the bullpen. The Dodgers can use all the help they can get. Their relievers rank 28 in the majors with a 4.85 ERA, and have allowed the sixth most earned runs of any bullpen in the majors with 39.

Welcome back Javy!

Javy Guerra has not been the same ever since he was hit in the face with a line drive last season. Photo: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports

Javy Guerra was promoted in 2011 from AA-Chattanooga out of desperation when Jonathan Broxton was injured and essentially done as the Dodgers’ closer. Guerra was impressive as the impromptu closer, and he saved 21 games for the Dodgers that year. Last season despite the injuries, Guerra appeared in 45 games for the Dodgers and had a 2.60 ERA. In his two seasons at the Major League level with the Dodgers, the 27-year old has a 2.45 ERA over 91 2/3 innings pitched. Don Mattingly explained that Javy just wasn’t ready physically. He will most likely find himself in the bullpen in AAA-Albuquerque which will actually have a pretty strong relief squad come Opening Day. If the Dodgers eventually send one or more of their extra starting pitchers to another team via trade, Javy may be able to work his way back into the pen.

So far the relief pitchers who will definitely be in the Dodger bullpen are : Brandon League, Kenley Jansen, Ronald Belisario, and J.P. Howell. The Dodgers will also need to keep Ted Lilly, Aaron Harang, and Chris Capuano if they don’t trade them before April 1st. Other pitchers vying for a spot on the team are: Matt Guerrier, Josh Wall, Shawn Tolleson, Paco Rodriguez, and non-roster players like Kevin Gregg, Peter Moylan, and Mark Lowe.

The Dodgers also sent Juan Abreu, the right-handed pitcher, to Minor League camp on Sunday.

More tough decisions loom for the Dodgers as they begin to whittle down the roster. Javy Guerra’s fall seems pretty far. Much like Chris Capuano and Aaron Harang, Javy will have to work and battle the odds in order to win one of the coveted spots on the team again. Or perhaps he had his moment and it has passed? Do you think Javy Guerra will return to form? Let us know in the comments.