The Los Angeles Dodgers selected the contract of right-handed pitcher Zach Neal ahead of Tuesday night’s game against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
In order to create room for Neal on the 40-man roster, the Dodgers designated Jesus Liranzo, who was just acquired from the Baltimore Orioles on Monday, for assignment. Additionally, to make room for him on the 25-man roster they placed Josh Fields on the paternity list as he is away from the team for the birth of his child.
The roster move was an expected one after the Dodgers’ 15-inning marathon against the Diamondbacks on Monday night in which all eight relievers pitched, led by Wilmer Font who threw 74 pitches across 4.1 innings as the last man standing in the bullpen.
The Dodgers signed Neal to a Minor League contract this past January. He was a 17th-round draft pick of the Florida Marlins in 2010 out of the University of Oklahoma. He made his MLB debut in 2016 with the Oakland Athletics.
In 24 games (six starts) for the Athletics in 2016, Neal went 2-4 with a 4.24 ERA, 4.35 FIP and 1.11 WHIP while striking out 27 and walking six in 70 innings of work.
The sinkerballer pitched just 14.2 big league innings last season, yielding a 7.98 ERA. In 21 games (16 starts) with Triple-A Nashville, he went 4-8 with a 4.82 ERA and 1.26 WHIP.
Neal appeared in three games (one start) for the Dodgers this spring before being optioned back to Minor League camp. He allowed nine hits and four runs in five innings (7.20 ERA).
