The Los Angeles Dodgers optioned Mike Bolsinger to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sunday, and recalled Carlos Frias. The move hardly comes as a surprise given Bolsinger’s continued struggles and heavy strain recently placed on Dodgers relievers.
In the last three games, the bullpen has thrown 16.1 innings, including 6.1 on Saturday night after Bolsinger only managed to throw 2.2 innings in what was his worst start this season. Bolsinger suffered from cramping, which Dodgers manager Dave Roberts believed threw him off course.
The right-hander allowed five runs on nine hits and walked two batters. Bolsinger went 1-4 with a 6.83 ERA and 1.52 WHIP in six starts for the Dodgers.
Frias, who last pitched in relief with Triple-A Oklahoma City on June 12, reaches the Majors for the first time this season.
He began the 2016 season in Triple-A, but on the disabled list with a strained oblique. He started two games for Double-A Tulsa prior to rejoining Oklahoma City. Frias was a combined 1-3 with a 4.60 ERA and 1.28 WHIP in 31.1 innings pitched over seven games (five starts).
In five games (three starts) with Oklahoma City, Frias went 1-3 with a 5.55 ERA AND 1.52 WHIP. The 26 year old is coming off a pair of relief appearances after making three consecutive starts for the OKC Dodgers.
Frias went 5-5 with a 4.06 ERA, 4.32 FIP and 1.47 WHIP over 17 games (13 starts) with the Dodgers last season. With an off-day later in the week, Frias conceivably could back Kenta Maeda as a long reliever on Sunday, then start in the scheduled turn on normal rest.
