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Yimi Garcia Makes Surprise Start Against Phillies on Monday

Dodgers relief pitcher Yimi Garcia will make a surprise start against the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday.

Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Yimi Garcia has been selected by manager Don Mattingly as his starter for Monday's opening game of a four-game series against the Philadelphia Phillies.

The move came as a surprise to many in the media who cover the team as left-hander Eric Surkamp, who was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City earlier in the day, was thought to be be the presumed starter.

The Dodgers regularly slated starter, Carlos Frias, was placed on the 15-day disabled list with lower back problems, and is the reason the Dodgers are in this predicament currently.

More than likely, the Dodgers will invoke a strategy similar to their June 2nd game at Colorado in which Los Angeles started reliever Juan Nicasio for two innings before giving way to starter Ian Thomas who had been recalled earlier that day.

Mattingly confirmed as much once he posted the official starting lineup three hours before the game and Garcia was batting eighth.

"I don't expect him to bat," Mattingly said when asked about Garcia. "I don't know for sure, but I can't see him getting an at-bat."

Expect Garcia to pitch two innings before being removed for a pinch-hitter in the bottom of the second or bottom of the third depending on how deep they can go in the lineup. Surkamp will more than likely pitch innings 3, 4, and 5 before being lifted for another pinch-hitter.

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After that, it will be a combination of relievers to finish the game and we fully expect the usual suspects: Adam Liberatore, Juan Nicasio, J.P. Howell and Kenley Jansen to make an appearance.

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