The Dodgers started the process of rebuilding their embattled bullpen, acquiring right-hander Joel Peralta in a multi-player deal with the Tampa Bay Rays.

In exchange for Peralta and minor league left-hander Adam Liberatore, the Dodgers traded hard-throwing right-hander Jose Dominguez and minor league right-hander Greg Harris.

Peralta, who turns 39 in March, has pitched in 69 or more games in each of the last four seasons. He led the major leagues with 80 appearances in 2013, when he posted a 3.71 earned-run average.

Peralta is under contract next year for $2.5 million. His deal includes $2.5-million team options for 2016 and 2017. He was signed by the Dodgers’ new president of baseball operations, Andrew Friedman, the former general manager of the Rays.

Liberatore, a 27-year-old left-hander who has never pitched in the major leagues, posted a 1.66 ERA in 54 games with triple-A Durham this year. He was added to the Dodgers' 40-man roster, which is now full.

Dominguez, 24, has a...

The Dodgers are down to one open spot on their 40-man roster after adding three prospects Thursday -- outfielder Scott Schebler and pitchers Zach Lee and Chris Reed.

Rosters had to be set Thursday ahead of the Dec. 11 Rule 5 Draft. The three players had to be added or the Dodgers could have lost them in the draft.

Lee is the highly prized prospect the Dodgers selected in the first round in 2010 that most assumed was going to accept a scholarship to play quarterback for Louisiana State. His signing was considered something of a coup and he was quickly projected as a mid-rotation starter.

Lee, however, suffered a down season at triple-A Albuquerque (7-13, 5.38 earned-run average, 1.53 WHIP in 150 2/3 innings) and never did receive a call-up when the Dodgers were hurting for a fifth starter or in September. The right-hander is 23.

The left-handed Reed was taken with the club’s first-round pick the next year (16^th overall) out of Stanford. He was a reliever for the Cardinal but the Dodgers...

You roll the dice, you take your chances.

The Dodgers lost that gamble a year ago when they tried to waive injured reliever Shawn Tolleson and he was claimed by Texas, and it might have backfired again Thursday when they lost injured reliever Onelki Garcia on waivers to the White Sox.

Today is the deadline for teams to set the 40-man roster ahead of the Dec. 11 Rule 5 Draft. The move leaves the Dodgers with 36 players on their 40-man roster, though they are expected to add Zach Lee, Chris Reed and Scott Schebler later today.

Garcia, a third-round pick in 2012, did not pitch for the Dodgers last season after undergoing off-season arthroscopic elbow surgery and then later knee surgery. The left-hander made one appearance in a Class-A Rancho Cucamonga game before being shut down again for the season.

Garcia, 25, went 2-3 with a 2.75 ERA and 53 strikeouts in 52 1/3 innings for double-A Chattanooga in 2013, then got moved to triple-A Albuquerque for 10 games before appearing in three games...

It seems pretty much understood that at some point this off-season the Dodgers are going to trade one of their top four outfielders not named Yasiel Puig.

Understandably, that focus is generally on Andre Ethier and Carl Crawford, two expensive left-handed hitting outfielders on the wrong side of 30.

That would leave the survivor in left field, and presumably Matt Kemp in right and Puig in center.

Which would do nothing to clear room for prized prospect Joc Pederson, who is not going to be kept around to see spot time as a fourth outfielder. He’d be headed back to triple-A, which you have to assume would not thrill someone who just hit .303 there with 33 homers, 78 RBI and 30 stolen bases. At least he’d get a change of scenery, the team moving to Oklahoma City next season.

Pederson did not look ready for prime time during his brief time with the Dodgers in September (.143, no extra-base hits in 38 plate appearances). But you don’t want to put any more credence into such an initial,...

BRANDON LEAGUE, 31, reliever.

Final 2014 stats: 2-3, 2.57 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, 5.4 strikeouts per nine innings in 63 innings.

Contract status: Last year of contract at $7.5 million.

The good: Was third on the staff in appearances (63). Had a 2.09 ERA in the first half. Did not allow a home run all season. During a 38-game stretch beginning in mid-April, posted a 1.32 ERA. Induced 15 double plays.

The bad: Allowed 9.3 hits per nine innings, a staff high (.278 average). Struggled badly in August (6.15 ERA, 2.46 WHIP). Had a 4.32 ERA pitching in day games.

What’s next: One more year, probably as a middle reliever.

The take: The typical reaction to League is boos and catcalls, mostly stemming from the fact he is a failed closer with a three-year, $22.5-million contract. That’s closer money, a role he couldn’t hold onto two months into the first year of the contract.

But eliminate the expectations and loony contract, and simply judge League on his 2014 season, and he was actually OK. And on this...

CARL CRAWFORD, 33, outfielder.

Final 2014 stats: .300 batting average, eight homers, 46 RBIs, 56 runs, 23 stolen bases, and .339 on-base and .429 slugging percentages in 370 plate appearances.

Contract status: Three more years at almost $65 million.

The good: After missing the month of June with a sprained ankle, returned to claim the starting left-fielder job and hit .326/.373/.451 the rest of the way. A left-handed batter who actually hit better against left-handers (.321) than right-handers (.296). Hit .329 at home, .333 in the second half and .448 in September.

The bad: Missed 41 games with ankle sprain, but at least avoided the kind of injury that leads to the operating table. Got off to slow start, batting just .185 in his first 24 games. Was five for 31 (.161) off the bench.

What’s next: Likely your starting left fielder, though the Dodgers would like to trade Andre Ethier or Crawford to unlock outfield jam.

The take: No one was thrilled with the mosaic outfield the Dodgers...