The Los Angeles Dodgers have six options for five rotation spots and Kenta Maeda is the latest odd man out.
Maeda, who has a 5.16 ERA, will make his first long relief appearance either Friday or Saturday against the Cincinnati Reds, according to Dave Roberts. Alex Wood is scheduled to come off the disabled list this weekend.
"This is not temporary for Kenta," Roberts said. "We need him to get back on track, get some momentum. I don't know what day he's going to pitch but he's open to it, and it's a credit to him as a teammate."
Maeda has lasted just four innings in each of his last two starts. He hasn't made a relief appearance since 2008, his rookie year in Japan.