LOS ANGELES -- After Friday night's 16-3 loss to the Dodgers that required four relievers, the Angels made a roster move just in case they needed a fresh arm out of the bullpen for Saturday's game.

Angels infielder Edgardo Alfonzo reported to Saturday's game against the Dodgers, but when he arrived, he was told he was being placed on waivers with the intention of giving him his release.

"They've been good to me," Alfonzo said of the Angels. "They gave me this opportunity to find a team. I appreciate the opportunity to find a team that would like to have me."

It's been a rough 2006 season for the veteran Alfonzo since he came to the Angels from the Giants in exchange for outfielder Steve Finley in December 2005.

The 32-year-old, an everyday player for the majority of his 11-year Major League career, has seen action in 18 games this season and just 10 of those were starts. His bat never warmed up, hitting just .100 (5-for-50) with one RBI, including a 0-for-2 night on Friday against the Dodgers.

"I know he wanted to play here every day, and that's normal," said Angels general manager Bill Stoneman. "You find it difficult when playing time doesn't come like it used to."

Alfonzo will remain on the waiver wire for three days, and if no team picks him up, he is free to sign wherever he pleases.

"Hopefully, everything will work out the best for me," Alfonzo said. "I get to go home, relax and see what happens."

Replacing Alfonzo on the roster is pitcher Jason Bulger, who got the call every Minor Leaguer hopes for at 12:30 a.m. at his home in Salt Lake City, Utah. Bulger arrived at Dodger Stadium at 10 a.m., just before Saturday's 1:10 p.m. PT start against the Dodgers.

"There was not a lot of sleep involved last night," Bulger said.

Bulger has been solid for Triple-A Salt Lake City this season with a 1.53 ERA in 14 relief appearances. He had a 1-1 record with three saves before his call up. He did not allow a home run over 17 2/3 innings, striking out 25 while walking six. Though sleep-deprived, the right hander is available out of the bullpen in Saturday's game against the Dodgers.

Sibling rivalry: Erick Aybar of the Angels will make his first Major League start at shortstop for the Angels on Saturday, and in the opposite dugout will be his older brother, Willy, making his fifth start of the season for the Dodgers.

The 22-year-old Erick was recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake on May 16, just in time to face his brother in the Freeway Series. Willy made his 2006 debut just six days ahead of the younger Aybar. Both are switch-hitting infielders, with Willy starting at third base on Saturday.

The other set of brothers split between the Dodgers and Angels -- Maicer Izturis of the Angels and Cesar Izturis of the Dodgers -- are both injured. Maicer has been out since April 24 with a strained left hamstring, and Cesar has been out since last season after undergoing Tommy John elbow reconstruction surgery.

Injury report: Angels manager Mike Scioscia hopes to be able to write outfielder Garret Anderson into the starting lineup for the series finale against the Dodgers on Sunday.

A strained left hamstring has kept Anderson out of the lineup for almost a week now. He injured the hamstring on May 14 in a 9-4 loss to the Mariners.

Angels righty Bartolo Colon threw another bullpen session on Saturday that went well. The Angels expect him to throw a simulated game soon, after which they will decide on his Minor League rehabilitation assignment before making his return to the Angels' rotation.

Colon made just three starts this season before experiencing stiffness in his right shoulder.

Coming up: The final game of the Freeway Series will feature right-hander Ervin Santana (4-1, 4.50 ERA) against fellow righty Derek Lowe of the Dodgers (1-3, 3.45 ERA). First pitch is set for 1:10 p.m. PT on Sunday at Dodger Stadium.