LOS ANGELES -- Outfielder Brady Clark was designated for assignment on Sunday, and infielder James Loney was recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas.

Clark, who was hitting .224 (13-for-58) with four doubles and five RBIs, was informed in the morning that he would no longer be with the Dodgers. Clark will have a 10-day period in which he could be traded or released and after that period he will have cleared waivers and will likely opt out of his contract and become a free agent.

"It kind of came out of nowhere, but I knew they were eventually going to do something," Clark said. "I think it's a blessing in disguise. Well, at least I hope it is. Everything happens for a reason, and there are 29 other teams. Hopefully one of them wants me, and I can get some playing time."

Clark was a little shocked but said he felt the move was coming and that these things happen in baseball.

"It's out my control, and I really don't worry about the things that aren't in my control," Clark said. "I worry about me and the things I can do. The things I can't control, I don't worry about. Life would be a miserable place if I did that."

Loney, a first baseman and outfielder, was recalled and made his first start of the season on Sunday in place of Nomar Garciaparra. He laced an RBI double in his first at-bat.

Loney was hitting .279 with 19 doubles, one homer and 32 RBIs for Triple-A Las Vegas before being called up. Loney, who was unhappy with the Dodgers' decision to send him to Las Vegas after Spring Training, said he was glad to be back in the Majors.

"Oh yeah, I think any competitive person would be upset with that situation," said Loney. "But once I got [to Las Vegas], the feeling went away, because I was still playing the game. I can't let a thing like that affect me."

Manager Grady Little said Loney would play both corners of the outfield and first base. According to Little, the idea behind recalling Loney came from the need to rest Garciaparra and the emergence of Matt Kemp in the outfield.

"This will enable us to give Nomar a few more regularly scheduled days off," Little said. "What we're looking for here is September and October, and I think this is going to help everyone. Loney will play some first base, outfield and help us off the bench."

Little said the move will give him an opportunity to regularly rest Jeff Kent, Luis Gonzalez and Garciaparra. He also reiterated that there will be plenty of at-bats for outfielders Kemp, Andre Ethier and Loney.

"Kemp is going to play his share, too," Little said. "We're at the point in the season where players are going to need time off, and when you can give quality players time off, it says a lot about the organization. Everyone is going to get plenty of playing time from here on."

Scheduled day off: Joining Garciaparra on the bench was Kent, who also received a scheduled day off on Sunday because of the day game after a night game.

Tony Abreu replaced Kent at second base. Wilson Betemit made a rare start at third in place of Abreu.

Strong rotation: Over the last three games, Dodgers starting pitchers have allowed just two earned runs in 22 2/3 innings, posting an 0.79 ERA in that span.

On Friday, Brady Penny allowed just one run in 7 2/3 innings and Derek Lowe allowed one run in nine innings on Saturday. Oddly enough, the Dodgers are 1-2 in those three games.

Anderson update: Marlon Anderson started at first base for Triple-A Las Vegas on Saturday night and went 2-for-4 with two doubles and three RBIs.

Anderson, who was primarily used as a pinch-hitter before his injury, is recovering from May 11 arthroscopic surgery on his right elbow.

Coming up: The Dodgers open a three-game series at Dodger Stadium against the New York Mets with left-hander Randy Wolf (7-4, 4.03 ERA) on the mound against right-hander Orlando Hernandez (3-1, 1.94) on Monday at 7:10 p.m. PT.