The Los Angeles Dodgers recalled Justin Bruihl and optioned Michael Grove ahead of their series finale against the Colorado Rockies, the club announced.
Bruihl returns for his fourth stint with the Dodgers after he was last optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City on June 3 as the corresponding move to the Dodgers activating Grove off the 15-day IL.
The 26-year-old is 1-0 with a 4.41 ERA and 1.29 WHIP in 14 games for the Dodgers this season. His ERA is a bit inflated due to back-to-back appearances of allowing two runs and three runs, respectively. He otherwise has allowed more than two runs in only one other appearance.
In 59 career games (two starts) for the Dodgers, he is 2-2 with a 3.68 ERA and 37 strikeouts while limiting left-handed hitters to a .191 (21-for-110) batting average with 20 strikeouts.
The southpaw was 4-0 with one save, a 1.23 ERA and 0.89 WHIP in 12 games for Oklahoma City.
Bruihl has been optioned three times, meaning the Dodgers can only do so twice more as part of MLB roster rules capping Minor League options at five per season. If the Dodgers found themselves in that position, Bruihl would need to be placed on waivers.
Grove started for the Dodgers on Wednesday, allowing four runs in five innings as he took the no-decision. The right-hander felt he was the victim of bad luck in his start, which came at Coors Field, and held the belief he made a lot of good pitches.
The 26-year-old was in his second stint with the team, making two appearances (one start) and allowing four runs over 7.0 innings with four strikeouts.
Grove owns a 7.54 ERA in 37 innings this season while posting a 1.59 WHIP with 34 strikeouts to 12 walks. He has been with the Dodgers for two seasons and he is a combined 1-2 with a 6.24 ERA and 58 strikeouts.
His best role may be in the bullpen, where he thrived when last called upon in relief. Grove previously expressed that he would embrace a bullpen role with a focus on doing whatever he can to help the team.
As he returns to the Minor Leagues, he would be best off working exclusively out of the ‘pen to build comfort there, but the Dodgers may prefer to keep him stretched out with the state of their pitching staff.
Justin Bruihl was on Dodgers taxi squad
The Dodgers were carrying Bruihl on their taxi squad in the event Clayton Kershaw needed to go on the IL. This roster move seemingly provides a positive outlook for Kershaw, who downplayed his injury and is expected to make his next start.
Kershaw did not undergo an MRI, and Dodgers manager Dave Roberts reiterated the future Hall of Famer was feeling good despite the team’s decision to carry Bruihl with them.
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