In need of fresh arms after playing 17 innings against the San Diego Padres, the Los Angeles Dodgers recalled Luis Avilan and Mike Bolsinger prior to Monday’s series opener with the Cincinnati Reds.
Chin-Hui Tsao was placed on the disabled list with a right triceps strain, and Ross Stripling optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City in corresponding moves to clear room on the active roster. Stripling was slated to start Tuesday, but was pressed into action on two days’ rest as a reliever against the Padres.
Stripling tossed three scoreless innings and earned his second career win. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts revealed after the marathon game that Tsao was unavailable due to soreness.
Roberts added there wasn’t enough time between learning of Tsao’s status and the 1:40 p.m. PT start time to make a roster move on Sunday. The right-hander went 0-1 with a 5.40 ERA over two relief appearances in his brief time with the Dodgers.
Tsao’s DL stint opened the door for Bolsinger to be recalled, despite getting optioned to Triple-A Otherwise, unless replacing someone with an injury, a player must spend a minimum of 10 days in the Minors after being optioned.
Bolsinger suffered a loss after allowing three runs on seven hits in 4.1 innings of a spot start against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. He’s expected to start in place of Stripling on Tuesday. Stripling was 2-3 with 4.53 ERA, 3.68 FIP and 1.36 WHIP over nine games (eight starts) with the Dodgers.
For Avilan, this marks a second go-around with the Dodgers this season. He allowed three runs in 0.2 innings over three consecutive relief appearances (April 22-24) against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field.
Avilan went 0-2 with two saves, a 4.97 ERA and 1.74 WHIP in 12 games (12.2 innings pitched) with Oklahoma City. He joins a Dodgers bullpen that may not have their legs under them, though may be in line for some rest with Clayton Kershaw on the mound Monday night.
Like Stripling, J.P. Howell threw three innings on Sunday. Louis Coleman and Adam Liberatore have appeared in the past three games, and four of the last five. While Joe Blanton pitched in three of the past four games.
Along with Avilan, Pedro Baez, Chris Hatcher and Kenley Jansen would appear to be relievers available to back Kershaw.
