LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Dodgers, who are in first place but dealing with some issues at the back of their rotation, lost one of their options to fill that need.
Left-hander Paul Maholm suffered a torn ACL in his right knee while covering first base in the seventh inning of Friday night's loss, an MRI revealed. The team said he will see Dr. Neal ElAttrache and decide on treatment, including surgery.
Maholm was placed on the 15-day disabled list Saturday. Left-hander Paco Rodriguez was recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque.
Maholm collapsed on the field, clutching at his knee immediately after the play. He got up and walked off the field with no assistance and apparently without a limp, but felt something afterward.
"He was walking pretty good and then he hit the step and it collapsed," Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said Friday. "I think he's had about four surgeries on the other one. This was the good one."
Maholm, who has been pitching in relief, would have been an option to return to the Dodgers' rotation as a replacement for struggling No. 5 starter Dan Haren, who allowed six earned runs in 4 1/3 innings in the 8-2 loss to the Chicago Cubs and has a 10.03 ERA since July 1.
The Dodgers also lost Yasiel Puig (mild left hamstring strain) and Adrian Gonzalez (right knee bruise) to baserunning injuries in Friday's game. They were available to pinch hit Saturday.
Information from ESPNLosAngeles.com contributor Andy Kamenetzky was used in this report.