In the midst of playing 20 games in 20 days, the Los Angeles Dodgers called on some reinforcement on Wednesday, reinstating Mike Bolsinger from the 15-day disabled list. Bolsinger was activated to start against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, giving others in the rotation an extra day of rest.
Bolsinger made two rehab starts for Triple-A Oklahoma City this month, and was projected by Dodgers manager Dave Roberts to throw roughly 80 pitches. Bolsinger wound up tossing 69 pitches over 4.1 innings, allowing three runs on seven hits.
The Dodgers’ rotation now picks up as originally slated, with Ross Stripling starting Thursday’s Freeway Series finale. Scott Kazmir, Alex Wood and Kenta Maeda are the listed probables for the upcoming three-game weekend series with the San Diego Padres at Petco Park.
In discussing Bolsinger on Tuesday, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said the club had yet to determine a course of action beyond his start.
According to Bill Plunkett of the OC Register, Roberts said Wednesday the Dodgers will revert back to a five-man rotation:
“Next time through, it’s going to be regular rest. We have a day off (Thursday) so they will get that extra day. But there won’t be an extra starter. I think that’s the way it’ll play out. But we’ll see.”
The Dodgers used four relievers to back Bolsinger, with Louis Coleman and J.P. Howell both throwing at least 25 pitches. If Bolsinger is not optioned on Thursday, it’s expected the club will revert back to 12 pitchers on the active roster prior to their series with San Diego.
While Bolsinger’s current stint with the Dodgers may last just one game, he figures to be a candidate to replace Stripling, who is on an innings limit, at some point this season.
