The Los Angeles Dodgers reinstated Joe Blanton from the bereavement list on Friday and optioned Luis Avilan to Triple-A Oklahoma City. Blanton missed the club’s entire series with the Philadelphia Phillies.
With Avilan getting sent down to Oklahoma City, the Dodgers are keeping the hard-throwing Josh Ravin, who was recalled when Blanton was placed on leave. Avilan owns a 5.91 ERA, 2.66 FIP and 1.41 WHIP in 16 games (10.2 innings) with the Dodgers over three stints this season.
Upon joining the club on July 5, Avilan produced seven consecutive scoreless appearances. He allowed three runs in his last game.
Last season Avilan pitched to a 5.17 ERA, 3.64 FIP and had 18 strikeouts in 23 games after being traded to the Dodgers in August. He’s 0-3 with a 4.82 ERA in 27 games with Oklahoma City this season.
Blanton has proven to be an underrated signing for the Dodgers as he’s continued to excel in a role out of the bullpen. He’s 4-2 with a 2.64 ERA, 3.36 FIP and 0.88 WHIP in a team-high 54 games pitched.
The veteran right-hander signed a one-year contract in mid-January. Blanton was initially expected to serve as a long reliever, but has often taken on the role of setup man for Kenley Jansen.
Blanton was previously with the Dodgers for a portion of the 2012 season. Working as a starting pitcher at that stage in his career, he went 2-4 with a 4.99 ERA in 10 starts.
