Report: Dodgers put Lilly on waivers By Sports Network

DENVER - Lefty Ted Lilly is reportedly the latest Dodger to be put on waivers, according to a FOX Sports report.

The move can only be viewed as part of a larger plan by general manager Ned Colletti of protecting against owing money to players with expiring contracts should Los Angeles fade further from the playoff race before a Tuesday deadline to set post-season rosters.

Teams will have until Tuesday to put in a claim for the 12-year veteran, after which time the Dodgers will have a small window to try and work out a potential trade.

The Dodgers followed the same path with outfielder Manny Ramirez earlier this week, and the slugger was reportedly claimed Friday by the Chicago White Sox.

As is the case with both players, LA reserves the right to pull each back off waivers. Ramirez’s waiver move came in the midst of a three-game sweep of Milwaukee — complicating the decision to let one or both leave. The Dodgers sit five games back in the wild card standings entering a weekend set with the Rockies.

The 34-year-old Lilly is 8-8 this season with a 3.27 earned run average in 23 starts split between the Dodgers and Cubs. He was acquired from Chicago at the trade deadline along with infielder Ryan Theriot in exchange for infielder Blake DeWitt and a pair of minor league pitching prospects.

Since coming to LA, Lilly is undefeated at 5-0 and owns a crisp 1.83 ERA in five starts.