The Los Angeles Dodgers activated Evan Phillips and placed Brusdar Graterol on the paternity list prior to the series opener against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday.
Phillips rejoins the team after missing the four games at Wrigley Field. The Dodgers’ transactions log indicated the right-handed relief pitcher had been transferred to the bereavement list during his time away, but in actuality it was family emergency leave.
Had that not been the case, Phillips was required to be activated Sunday because players on paternity leave can only miss a maximum of three days. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts had indicated Phillips would not return until the series at PNC Park.
Phillips has appeared in eight games this season, allowing three runs over 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.
Phillips has the top choice for Dodgers manager Dave Roberts in high-leverage and save situations despite not officially being named the team’s closer.
Graterol now takes his turn on paternity leave after last pitching on Sunday, throwing two innings to convert a save against the Chicago Cubs. He has a 2.53 ERA and 1.03 WHIP to go along with 10 strikeouts in 10.2 innings this season.
Since allowing a season-high two runs in a loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks on April 8, Graterol has thrown 6.2 scoreless innings over his last six appearances.
Dodgers recall Michael Busch
Also on Tuesday, the Dodgers recalled Michael Busch from Triple-A Oklahoma City and put Max Muncy on paternity leave. Busch is in the Dodgers lineup as their designated hitter for his MLB debut.
Meanwhile, Graterol and Muncy make four Dodgers who have been placed on the paternity list in the past week. It began with Mookie Betts and continued with Phillips before the roster moves with Graterol and Muncy.
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