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Dodgers place Broxton on DL, recall Jansen

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Turns out that wait on Jonathan Broxton was an entire day.

The Dodgers decided to place Broxton and his ‘barky’ elbow on the 15-day disabled list Friday before their game with the New York Mets and recalled right-hander Kenley Jansen from double-A Chattanooga.

Broxton struggled throughout the second half last year, and despite converting seven of eight save opportunities this season, he’s had few clean outings. He is 1-2 with a 5.68 ERA.

After a disastrous relief appearance Tuesday night, Broxton finally admitted to a sore elbow Wednesday morning, though he said it did not affect him while throwing, but stiffened up afterward.

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He had an MRI Wednesday and his agent, B.B. Abbott, said he was told by the Dodgers it showed no structural damage but did show a bone spur and an elbow bruise. Abbott said the Dodgers were expecting to wait a few days before deciding whether to DL him, though that wait turned into a single day.

Jansen mostly pitched well for the Dodgers this season, save for a pair of particularly rough outings that left him with a 7.43 ERA.

The Dodgers sent him down Sunday when they activated Hong-Chih Kuo, largely because he had options left.

Jansen pitched in only one inning of one game for Chattanooga, allowing three runs on two hits (one a homer), a walk and two strikeouts.

Even if surgery is not a current option, it’s probably best to shut Broxton down a bit, work in the bullpen when he’s able and try to tap into his previous confidence. [Update at 1:50 p.m.: Broxton is not expected to pitch for two to three weeks. The Dodgers said he’s gone on the DL because of the elbow bruise.

Broxton said the Dodgers originally indicated he could take three or four days off, and then try again but without pitching on consecutive days. Not wanting to compromise the team, he decided to go on the DL and hopefully take care of his elbow.

``I don’t think it happened last year,’’ Broxton said. ``It could have happened in the spring.’’

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He also concealed from the team a turf toe injury for a lengthy period in 2009 that prevented him from pitching in the All-Star game. Broxton, however, said he didn’t anticipate being any more forthcoming to the medical staff about his injuries.

``I’m just going to pitch,’’ he said. ``It’s baseball.’’

This is Broxton’s first trip to the DL in his six seasons.]

-- Steve Dilbeck

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