Chris

Withrow

The Dodgers also reassigned right-hander Shane Lindsay and infielder Russ Mitchell to minor league camp. Withrow, a 2007 first-round pick, fanned 130 batters over 128 2/3 innings last season, but has spent three straight years at the Double-A level and continues to have issues with his control and command. Silverio, who was recently ranked as the organization’s No. 4 prospect by Baseball America, is sidelined indefinitely after being involved in a serious automobile accident in his native Dominican Republic in late-January.

His addition to the 40-man roster protects him from the Rule 5 Draft in December. Withrow, 22, posted a solid 4.20 ERA and 130 strikeouts over 128 2/3 innings this season at the Double-A level. The 2007 first-round pick still has problems with his command, but gets plenty of swings and misses. He could be bullpen-bound in the long run.

The move was made to clear a 40-man roster spot for Bobby Abreu. Withrow has posted a 4.65 ERA with 64 strikeouts over 60 innings this season.

Withrow has put up a 1.93 ERA with 30 strikeouts over 23 1/3 innings at Albuquerque in his first full season as a reliever. He has control issues but will give the club a big arm in middle relief.

The Dodgers threw Withrow into some high-leverage situations since his recall last week, but he allowed runs in two of three appearances. The hard-thrower will get another chance later this summer.

Withrow, who turns 24 in April, was a first-round pick of the Dodgers back in 2007. After struggling through a case of the yips and chronic back problems, he posted a 3.28 ERA and 25 strikeouts over 24 2/3 innings in Double-A last season as a reliever. His control remains an issue, but the Dodgers are hopeful that the hard-throwing right-hander has found a home in the bullpen.

Withrow, who has made a permanent switch to reliever, dealt with a back issue nearly all camp. He’ll have a shot to make his major league debut sometime this season.

Withrow felt pain in his back last week after one of his first throwing sessions of the spring. The Dodgers are hopeful that he will be fine with a few days of rest.

Withrow had issues with the back after throwing last week and hasn’t rebounded as hoped. The young right-hander is being permanently transitioned from starter to reliever this spring.

It’s the first time he had done so since being shelved with back problems early on in spring training. Withrow, who is making the move from starter to reliever this season, won’t be part of the Opening Day bullpen.