The Los Angeles Dodgers activated Chris Hatcher off the 10-day disabled list and optioned Kyle Farmer to Triple-A Oklahoma City ahead of Sunday’s series finale against the San Diego Padres. Hatcher returns after missing 42 games due to thoracic inflammation.
The extended absence is Hatcher’s third in as many seasons with the Dodgers. He was transferred to the 60-day disabled list in 2015 and 2016, each time because of an oblique injury. Hatcher didn’t pitch again last season after July 19.
This year has been another filled with inconsistent performances from the hard-throwing righty. He’s 0-1 with a 4.66 ERA, 4.26 FIP and 1.34 WHIP in 26 games.
Hatcher last pitched June 22 against the New York Mets, when he issued a walk and allowed one run on one hit in 1.1 innings pitched.
Hatcher has issued 12 walks, recorded 43 strikeouts and surrendered seven home runs in 36.2 innings this season. He allowed a career-high eight home runs over 40.2 innings pitched in 37 games last season.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts initially expected the 32-year-old to be reinstated from the disabled list around the time he was eligible to return. Hatcher received a cortisone injection to alleviate pain one week after he’d spent the requisite time on the DL.
In five rehab games (two starts) with Oklahoma City and the Arizona League Dodgers, Hatcher posted a 1.50 ERA and struck out nine against just one walk.
Farmer returns to Oklahoma City after appearing in 10 games with the Dodgers. Farmer made his MLB debut in memorable fashion, delivering a pinch-hit walk-off two-run double in the 11th inning to complete a sweep of the San Francisco Giants.
Farmer went 4-for-10 with the one double and two RBI in 10 plate appearances. He’s batting .316/.363/.503 with 13 doubles, six home runs and 29 RBI through 48 games with Oklahoma City.
