When the Los Angeles Dodgers placed Dustin May on the 10-day injured list due to what eventually was diagnosed as a torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his right elbow, the team called up Mike Kickham from Triple-A Oklahoma City as the corresponding move.
Kickham spent the 2020 season with the Boston Red Sox organization and appeared in six games (two starts) after having his contract selected. He went 1-1 with a 7.71 ERA and 1.86 WHIP in those games.
Prior to that the southpaw had last been in the Majors with the San Francisco Giants during parts of the 2013 and 2014 seasons. Kickham appeared in a combined 14 games (three starts) over that span, going 0-3 with a 10.98 ERA, 6.02 FIP and 2.14 WHIP.
The 32-year-old elected free agency last year and went on to sign a Minor League contract with the Dodgers. He started their Cactus League opener and went on to serve as organizational depth.
Kickham’s time up with the Dodgers lasted all of one day. He did get an opportunity to pitch, following Julio Urias’ strong start and allowing three runs over two innings to finish a blowout win against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Kickham was designated for assignment the following day as the corresponding move to the Dodgers claiming Phil Bickford off waivers from the Brewers.
L.A. then sent Kickham outright to Oklahoma City after he cleared waivers, and he finished out the 2021 season with the affiliate. The left-hander went 0-3 with a 6.51 ERA and 1.74 WHIP over 20 games (nine starts) for OKC.
Kickham’s 2021 highlight
Kickham was plagued by inconsistency throughout the year but did manage to allow two earned runs or fewer in four consecutive games (one start) from Aug. 12 through Sept. 26. He did go one month between appearances during that span because of a stint on the injured list.
2022 outlook
Next season figures to be more of the same for Kickham in terms of providing depth, regardless of whether that’s with the Dodgers or another organization. He currently is a Minor League free agent.
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