There has not yet been a formal announcement or timetable released by the Los Angeles Dodgers, but Adam Liberatore began a rehab assignment Thursday with the Arizona League Dodgers. He started, issued one walk and collected two strikeouts in a scoreless inning of work.
Liberatore faced the minimum three batters, aided by a caught stealing for the second out. The game was his first since May 30. Liberatore was placed on the 10-day disabled list June 1 (retroactive to May 31) with left forearm tightness.
An MRI didn’t reveal any structural issues, but he was transferred to the 60-day DL on July 28 with an updated diagnosis of a left elbow strain. Prior to the All-Star break, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Liberatore was slowly recovering at Camelback Ranch and not yet nearing a return.
Prior to his current stint, the Dodgers also placed the 30-year-old on the DL in early May with a left groin strain. Injuries have limited Liberatore to just four games this season.
He’s allowed just one run on three hits, while recording five strikeouts against two walks in 3.1 innings. Liberatore has appeared in three games with Triple-A Oklahoma City, going 0-1 with a 0.93 ERA.
If he’s able to make a return and pitch well, Liberatore could factor heavily into the Dodgers’ bullpen plans for the postseason. He set a franchise record last year with 24 consecutive scoreless relief appearances, only to eventually fall victim to elbow and knee injuries.
Liberatore underwent an arthroscopic left elbow debridement last October, which ended his season.
