The Los Angeles Dodgers recalled Victor Gonzalez and designated Terrance Gore for assignment prior to Thursday’s series opener against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Gonzalez had been traveling with the team as a member of the taxi squad, which also includes Rocky Gale and Zach McKinstry.
Gonzalez was added to the Dodgers’ 40-man roster last October to protect against potentially losing him in the Rule 5 Draft. He has been with the organization for seven seasons, going 17-27 record with a 4.34 ERA and 364 strikeouts in 112 games (76 starts).
The southpaw enjoyed his best season in 2019, posting a combined 5-2 record with a 2.31 ERA in 38 games (13 starts) during split time with High-A Rancho Cucamonga, Double-A Tulsa and Triple-A Oklahoma City. Gonzalez’s first appearance with the Dodgers will represent his MLB debut.
The club views the Mexican native as a starting pitcher, but Gonzalez is likely to appear out of the bullpen this season. “This year, you’ve got to look at it as an outlier,” manager Dave Roberts recently said.
“You may see a certain player in a role, but have to look at this year and what can help you this season. Victor is built up to three innings, maybe four. It’s an option. Victor, we certainly see as a starter long term.”
Gonzalez’s addition to the active roster at this juncture adds a fresh arm to a Dodgers bullpen that has logged 31.2 innings through the first six games.
Gore played in two games with the Dodgers, though didn’t register a plate appearance in either. He replaced AJ Pollock as a pinch-runner in the eighth inning of Wednesday’s win against the Houston Astros.
The Dodgers signed Gore to a Minor League contract in February. He was a late arrival to Summer Camp, yet included on the Opening Day roster as a speed threat and defensive replacement.
Buehler, Kershaw could swap order
Clayton Kershaw is scheduled to throw a bullpen session at Chase Field on Thursday, which marks his second this week. That would leave him on track to come off the 10-day injured list Sunday, which would push Walker Buehler back.
Roberts indicated the team is still considering keeping with Buehler in the series finale against the Diamondbacks, then activating Kershaw on Monday.
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