Criticized for their inconsistency over the past four seasons, the Los Angeles Dodgers bullpen has been one of the team’s strengths thus far in 2017; the current series against the Arizona Diamondbacks notwithstanding.
The Dodgers began the season with a mix of veteran relievers and young arms who proved valuable and gained experience last year. Chief among them was Grant Dayton. He was one of two left-handed relievers to make the Opening Day roster, beating out Adam Liberatore.
But on April 18 the Dodgers placed Dayton on the 10-day disabled list with a left intercostal strain. He joined Rich Hill and Scott Kazmir in throwing a bullpen session at Chase Field on Saturday and is expected to come off the DL once the Dodgers begin a six-game homestand, per Andy McCullough of the L.A. Times:
Grant Dayton also took the mound. Roberts expects to activate Dayton by next weekend, when the Dodgers begin a series at home against Philadelphia.
Dayton is scheduled to join a Minor League affiliate on a rehab assignment when the Dodgers road trip hits San Francisco for four games.
The 29-year-old allowed just two hits and recorded four strikeouts in 6.1 shutout innings across seven relief appearances before landing on the disabled list. Dayton, who made his MLB debut last season, pitched to a 2.05 ERA in 25 games with the Dodgers.
Since losing Dayton, Luis Avilan had been the team’s lone left-handed reliever on the active roster. That changed Sunday when Adam Liberatore was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Dayton is eligible to come off the DL on Friday.
