The Los Angeles Dodgers recalled Edwin Rios from Triple-A Oklahoma City, selected the contract of Zac Rosscup, and optioned Tony Gonsolin and Caleb Ferguson. A.J. Pollock was transferred to the 60-day injured list to create room for Rosscup on the 40-man roster.
Rios, who was added to the 40-man roster last November to protect against potentially losing him in the 2018 Rule 5 Draft, is joining the Dodgers for the first time in his career. Including 2019, he’s been with Oklahoma City for parts of three seasons.
This year, Rios hit .249/.308/.475 with 16 doubles, 14 home runs and 48 RBI while appearing in 70 games before receiving a call-up. Rios slugged five homers in his last nine games with OKC.
Selected in the sixth round of the 2015 MLB Draft, the 25-year-old has experience at first base, third base, left field and some right field. The bulk of Rios’ playing time (40 games) has come at third base.
His arrival should give the Dodgers added flexibility in the wake of Joc Pederson struggling to acclimate himself at first base, and Cody Bellinger dealing with nagging knee tendinitis.
Rosscup returned to the organization just over two weeks ago via a Minor League contract. He spent time this season with the Seattle Mariners and Toronto Blue Jays. Rosscup only reached the Majors with Seattle and went 2-0 with a 3.21 ERA and 1.93 WHIP in 19 appearances.
He appeared in 17 games for the Dodgers last season, going 0-1 with a 4.76 ERA, 4.13 FIP, 1.15 WHIP with 20 strikeouts against four walks in 11.1 innings pitched. He was particularly effective against left-handed hitters, holding them to a .143 batting average.
The 31-year-old has struggled in seven games with Oklahoma City this season, allowing six runs in six innings (9.00 ERA).
Gonsolin returns to OKC after a shaky MLB debut against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Dodgers’ defense didn’t do him any favors, and Gonsolin faced a 4-0 deficit before managing to record an out in the first inning. He nonetheless enjoyed the experience, which included a base hit in his first at-bat.
Ferguson appeared in five games in his latest stint with the Dodgers. He pitched to a 4.26 ERA during that stretch as he’s struggled to replicate success from opening the season with 6.1 scoreless innings over six appearances.
Pollock had been on the 10-day IL since April 30, which came days before he underwent right elbow surgery. Pollock has been making steady progress in his recovery and is expected to begin a rehab assignment during the All-Str break.
Pollock hopes to come off the IL when the Dodgers begin a series against the Boston Red Sox, which still remains plausible even with Thursday’s paper move.
