The Los Angeles Dodgers recalled Andre Jackson from Triple-A Oklahoma City and placed Evan Phillips on paternity leave prior to Thursday’s game against the Chicago Cubs.
Per MLB roster rules, a player that goes on the paternity list is required to miss a minimum of one day but can’t be away from the team for more than three days.
Jackson returns for his second stint with the Dodgers after posting an 8.64 ERA and 1.56 WHIP with seven strikeouts and one save in his first 8.1 innings with the club. However, Jackson’s ERA was inflated by an outing against the Cubs where he was tipping his pitches and allowed four home runs and five runs over two innings.
He was optioned at the beginning of the week to make room for Justin Bruihl prior to the series against the New York Mets because the Dodgers wanted another left-handed reliever in their bullpen.
In his career, Jackson holds a 3.94 ERA and 1.42 WHIP with 26 strikeouts in 11 games for the Dodgers. The 26-year-old pitched with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Wednesday, striking out the only batter he faced.
Phillips has appeared in eight games for the Dodgers this season, allowing three runs in seven innings (3.86 ERA) while recording a team-leading two saves, to go along with eight strikeouts and a 1.14 WHIP. Phillips has been with the Dodgers since 2021 and posted a 1.68 ERA and 0.86 WHIP with 94 strikeouts during that span.
The 28-year-old has been the top choice for Dodgers manager Dave Roberts in high-leverage and save situations, so missing him for the next few games could prove to be a challenge for a bullpen that has been struggling.
Brusdar Graterol and Caleb Ferguson presume to be the top-two high-leverage arms with Phillips out and should be looked at as the favorite for saves. Phil Bickford and Shelby Miller could also continue to see some leverage work while Alex Vesia and Yency Almonte are mired in rough stretches.
Dodgers activate Mookie Betts
In addition to recalling Jackson, the Dodgers activated Mookie Betts off paternity leave after two days away from the club. To make room on the active roster, Yonny Hernández was optioned to OKC.
Betts has appeared in 17 games for the Dodgers this season, hitting .266 with two homers and six RBI. Hernández appeared in one game for the Dodgers, pinch-hitting in the ninth inning on Wednesday and grounding out.
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