Los Angeles -- The Seattle Mariners have added significant players to the injured list over the last couple of weeks, with right-handed pitcher Ljay Newsome being the latest arm to be sidelined for the foreseeable future.

Newsome, who was placed on the IL with right elbow inflammation on Sunday, was examined in Los Angeles before the Mariners began a two-game series at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday.

"He's going to have to make a decision, doesn't quite know which way it's gonna go yet. I think that the doctor was going to present all the things in front of him, but he has an elbow issue,” manager Scott Servais said. “I'm not sure if it's going to be surgery or some other things where that's headed, so don't want to speculate.”

A decision on Newsome’s recovery will be made Thursday once the team returns to Seattle following its five-game road trip. The Mariners are preparing for Newsome to be away from the mound for an extended period.

Newsome was removed from Saturday’s game against the Texas Rangers after he was seen in visible discomfort in the fourth inning. He has appeared in seven games this season and made one start, posting a 7.98 ERA.

As for Marco Gonzales, the southpaw is getting closer to throwing off the mound. He is throwing from 75-100 feet in his rehab program, Servais said, and is feeling good. Gonzales suffered a left forearm strain in late April after going 1-3 with a 5.40 ERA over five starts.

Servais also touched on the progress of Seattle’s injured relievers, whose absences have been felt in the previous couple of weeks.

Right-hander Keynan Middleton (right biceps strain) should return to the bullpen soon. He played catch at Dodger Stadium ahead of the first game of the series and reported feeling good.

Right-hander Casey Sadler landed on the injured list on May 2 with right shoulder inflammation, but he hasn’t bounced back the way he and Seattle were hoping.

“He's switching up a few things in his rehab and in what he's doing there,” Servais said. “So, hopefully, that helps get him going a little bit quicker. But he's a little bit behind."

No DH, no problem -- maybe
Seattle pitchers have been in the batting cages a lot more as of late, preparing for the club's Interleague set at Dodger Stadium.

"My expectations are very low, being in the American League,” Servais said of the expected production his No. 9 hitters during the Interleague series. “And we have had our guys bunting leading up to this. We started about 10 days ago, making sure they got some reps there. We've had them swinging a little bit. I'm not expecting much offensively.”

Rotation vs. Cleveland
With the mounting injuries to the pitching staff, Seattle is making the proper adjustments in its six-man rotation.

Right-hander Chris Flexen will take the mound against Cleveland when the Mariners return home Thursday. Erik Swanson and Justus Sheffield are also expected to start during the four-game series.