The Los Angeles Dodgers used a total of 21 pitchers during the 2020 season, many of which were holdovers from past few years. Part of the group was Caleb Ferguson, who looked to bounce back from a disappointing sophomore campaign.
Ferguson earned a spot on the Dodgers’ Opening Day roster and appeared in the club’s first game of the season against the San Francisco Giants, retiring both batters faced.
The left-hander made three more scoreless appearances in July and carried that momentum into August. In 11 games, he posted an 0.84 ERA with 15 strikeouts over 10.2 innings of work.
Ferguson struggled at the start of September, allowing a home run in three consecutive outings. He saw his ERA rise from 0.63 to 3.31 as a result.
Ferguson rebounded with three straight scoreless appearances, but unfortunately suffered a significant elbow injury in his last game of the season on Sept. 15 against the San Diego Padres.
An MRI revealed that he tore the UCL of his left elbow and decided shortly after that to undergo season-ending Tommy John surgery.
In 21 appearances, Ferguson went 2-1 with a 2.89 ERA, 3.57 FIP and 1.02 WHIP across 18.2 innings pitched. He posted career-highs in strikeouts per nine (13.0) and walks per nine (1.4), holding opposing right-handed hitters to a .191 batting average, while the same split hit .280 against him.
2020 highlight
From July 23-Aug. 29, Ferguson allowed just one run over a span of 15 appearances. He was tabbed for seven hits in 14.1 innings and struck out 20 batters against two walks.
2021 outlook
Ferguson is expected to miss the 2021 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery. “Just understanding it’s a long road ahead, but we’re going to be with him every step of the way,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said in September.
“He is a big part of what we’re doing and what we’re planning on doing going forward. I just feel terrible.”
Ferguson previously underwent Tommy John surgery as a senior in high school in 2014. That is presumed to have played a role in him falling in the MLB Draft that year and ultimately being selected by the Dodgers in the 38th round.
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