"As shortstop Rafael Furcal came back from the disabled list Sunday, another Dodgers veteran, third baseman Casey Blake, went on the DL for the third time this season.

Blake, 37, has struggled with a persistent sore neck. "He's been battling this thing," Manager Don Mattingly said before the Dodgers lost, 3-1, to the Angels at Angel Stadium.

It's unclear whether Blake's pain and limited motion in his neck are being caused by a pinched nerve, arthritis or some other problem, but putting him on the DL should "give him the time to try to get it right," Mattingly said.

Blake was on the DL earlier this season because of back problems, then again for surgery for a staph infection on his left elbow.

There had been speculation that rookie shortstop Dee Gordon would be sent back to the minor leagues to make room for Furcal, who had been on the DL since June 4 because of a strained muscle in his side."