Within the next few days (probably Tuesday, April 15), Dodgers set-up man Brian Wilson will be coming off of the disabled list from nerve irritation in his right elbow. But in order for this to occur, there will have to be a corresponding roster move.

Considering that Brandon League is out of options (let alone is still owed $15 million over the next two seasons) and the unlikelihood that the Dodgers will DFA Paul Maholm or Jamey Wright, that leaves one of two possibilities – either Chris Withrow gets sent down to Triple-A Albuquerque or Paco Rodriguez does.

Not a very favorable choice, to say the least.

Through the first 12 games of the season, Chris Withrow has appeared in six games, has pitched 7.0 innings, has allowed zero runs, has given up one hit, has walked two and has struck out 12 – yes, TWELVE.

Paco Rodriguez has appeared in seven games, has pitched 5.1 innings, has allowed one earned run (for a 1.69 ERA), has given up five hits, has walked two and has struck out five.

Brandon League has appeared in three games, has pitched 4.2 innings, has allowed three earned runs (for an ERA of 5.79), has given up four hits, has walked three, has hit a batter and has struck out four.

In other words, Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti is caught between the proverbial rock and a hard place.

…or is he?

No one can argue that Brandon League is a great guy and a great teammate, but is it really a good idea to send one of the Dodgers best two relievers down to Triple-A simply to justify League’s ludicrous contract? What value is he to the team when he can only be used in blow out games (one way of the other)? And even then, no lead appears to be safe when he enters a game.

On Saturday night, League turned an 8-2 laugher into an 8-5 save situation forcing Dodgers manager Don Mattingly to bring closer Kenley Jansen into a game that he really didn’t want to or, quite frankly, shouldn’t have needed to.

Although Brandon League has had flashes of brilliance, the cold hard truth is that he is ineffective and is taking up a very valuable bullpen spot – regardless of his contract. (Photo credit – Jon SooHoo)

There is one other option available for the Dodgers, but it is only a temporary solution to a long-term problem – place Brandon League on the 15-day disabled list for one of those infamous “Ted Lilly mystery injuries” and worry about giving it a name later (arm fatigue or a tight back works for me).

And then, of course, there is the permanent solution – have Ned Colletti swallow his pride and admit that the three-year/$22.5 million contract extension that he gave League after the 2012 season was a mistake and designate League for assignment and be done with the problem once and for all.

…like that will ever happen.