The Los Angeles Dodgers recalled Seth Halvorsen from Triple-A Oklahoma City and designated Jonathan Hernández for assignment ahead of their season opener against the Colorado Rockies on Monday at Dodger Stadium.
Hernández was called up on Aug. 3 when the Dodgers designated Wyatt Mills for assignment. It was his second stint with the club since he first joined them on May 18 after being released by the Philadelphia Phillies.
He struggled in his first opportunity, pitching to an 8.15 ERA, 6.38 FIP and 1.76 WHIP over 12 appearances with the Dodgers. In his second opportunity, Hernández threw 4.2 innings without allowing a run and giving up just one hit.
Overall with the Comets, he’s posted a 5.24 ERA in 22.1 innings. At the MLB level, Hernández has pitched to a 6.45 ERA in 22.1 innings with 18 strikeouts and a 1.43 WHIP.
Hernández was likely to be DFA’d on Tuesday when the Dodgers need to bring Blake Snell off the 60-day injured list. Making the move one day early gives them an extra arm in the bullpen after Hernández threw two innings on Sunday and the Dodgers relied on their relief pitchers during the road trip.
Seth Halvorsen joins Dodgers bullpen
Halvorsen joins the Dodgers for his first opportunity since being acquired in a trade with the Colorado Rockies on July 20. He was sent to Triple-A after the trade to continue his rehab assignment, and as the Dodgers planned on making some adjustments for the right-hander.
The 26-year-old has thrown 19 innings this season for the Rockies with a 4.74 ERA, 5.73 FIP and 1.95 WHIP while striking out 17.7% of hitters and walking 15.6%. He was also ineffective last season in 39.2 innings, posting a 4.99 ERA and 5.20 FIP, but did record 11 saves and four holds after getting some high-leverage chances.
Halvorsen recorded his first career save in 2024, and showed a lot of promise as a weapon out of the bullpen. He posted a 1.46 ERA while striking out 28.3% of hitters and walking 4.3%, albeit over a limited sample of 12.1 innings.
Halvorsen also set the Rockies’ record for fastest pitch thrown at 103.3 mph in 2024, but lost some of his velocity in the following seasons. Halvorsen was able to re-gain most of it during his time with the Comets so far.
He ended up pitching 6.1 innings with Triple-A Oklahoma City while allowing no runs on four hits with eight strikeouts. Combined with his time for Triple-A Albuquerque, Halvorsen owns a 1.50 ERA across 24 innings this season in the Minors.
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