The Los Angeles Dodgers reinstated Edgardo Henriquez from the 60-day injured list and optioned him to Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Henriquez began the season on the 15-day IL after suffering a fractured left foot during Spring Training. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts repeatedly declined to provide specifics over the nature of Henriquez’s injury, only to say it occurred away from the field.
He was later transferred to the 60-day IL on April 18 to make room on the 40-mnan roster for the addition of Eddie Rosario.
Prior to the foot injury, Henriquez emerged as a likely candidate to be on the Dodgers’ Opening Day roster, but ended up missing the first two months of the season.
Henriquez began his rehab assignment on May 29, which for pitchers can last a maximum of 30 days, so the Dodgers had to make a decision on activating him.
The right-hander pitched in 12 rehab games, allowing nine runs on 14 hits over 12 innings of work, giving him a 6.75 ERA. He did strike out 16 batters while walking just six, but batters hit .292 against him.
Most of the damage Henriquez allowed came in a two-game stretch on June 7 and 10, when he allowed seven runs across two innings. Following those appearances, he allowed just one run in his next seven outings, including a streak of five scoreless appearances.
Henriquez made his MLB debut last season and tossed 3.1 innings with a 2.70 ERA, 1.97 FIP, 13.50 strikeouts per nine, 5.40 walks per nine and a 1.20 WHIP.
He ended up making the postseason roster for the National League Division Series and Championship Series, where he threw five innings and allowed four runs on eight hits in total.
Henriquez spent time with four Dodgers Minor League affiliates last season, going a combined 1-2 with a 2.72 ERA and 1.23 WHIP while collecting 88 strikeouts in 53 innings over 43 games (five starts).
When can Edgardo Henriquez join the Dodgers?
After being optioned, Henriquez has to spend at least 15 days in the Minor Leagues, unless he is replacing an injured pitcher. That makes Monday, July 14, the earliest Henriquez is eligible to be recalled.
Given the Dodgers’ roster shuffling and need for fresh arms in their bullpen throughout the season thus far, Henriquez should get an opportunity again at some point.
The 23-year-old has electric stuff and could end up being an impact reliever at some point in his career, so the Dodgers would be best off giving him an extended run to see what they have in him.
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