Ishii on the DL, so Mullen Will Start

ATLANTA — Starter Kazuhisa Ishii went on the 15-day disabled list Saturday because of a strained left knee ligament, and the Dodgers recalled pitcher Victor Alvarez from triple-A Las Vegas to take Ishii’s spot on the 25-man roster.

“I’ve had this in the past [this season and in Japan], and it really didn’t have an effect,” Ishii said through an interpreter. “But the last game, it had a little effect.”

Ishii delivered a strong six-inning performance as the pain increased in Wednesday’s 2-0 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies.

Alvarez pitched in relief in Saturday’s loss to the Braves and the Dodgers purchased the contract of left-hander Scott Mullen, 28, from Las Vegas, for his first major league start today. Mullen went 1-2 with a 5.32 earned-run average for the 51s.

In parts of four seasons with the Kansas City Royals, Mullen was 4-5 with two blown saves and a 4.45 ERA.

Ishii could be activated Aug. 14, meaning he would miss only two starts.

However, the timetable might change after Ishii undergoes an MRI exam Monday at the Kerlan-Jobe Clinic in Culver City.

“It’s difficult for me to keep my body back when I’m on the mound, because it puts a lot of stress on my knee,” said Ishii, 9-5 with a 3.35 ERA.

“But when I’m on [flat ground], I can throw normal. I had this in Japan, but never this bad.”

With Ishii unable to start today, Manager Jim Tracy said Hideo Nomo could come back after throwing only 32 pitches in Friday’s 2-0 loss that was delayed by rain.

But that plan was scrapped after Nomo, who was not given the option of returning after the 1-hour 26-minute delay, informed pitching coach Jim Colborn that he would not be able to pitch again so soon.