Dodgers designate Lilly for assignment

The Los Angeles Dodgers designated left-hander Ted Lilly for assignment and activated utility player Elian Herrera, the team announced Thursday.

Dodgers manager Don Mattingly told the Orange County Register that the team did not see Lilly, a starter throughout his career, as a reliever. The team had activated the veteran from the disabled list on Wednesday after he was sidelined for two months with a chronic neck problem.

The 37-year-old Lilly is expected to clear waivers and subsequently would be eligible to be claimed by any team.

He started five games this season and was 0-2 with a 5.09 ERA. In 2012, Lilly was limited to eight starts and has a 5-1 record with a 3.14 ERA.