The Los Angeles Dodgers recalled Josh Sborz from their alternate training site at USC and placed Joc Pederson on the paternity list. The roster move was hinted at when the Dodgers concluded their series against the Colorado Rockies without Pederson available.
He was curiously absent from the lineup despite the Dodgers facing a right-handed starter, and when asked about the decision, manager Dave Roberts explained Pederson was tending to a family matter.
“Joc is fine,” Roberts explained. “We’ve obviously talked to him and feel good about it. If we have to make a roster move on Tuesday, we will.”
Roberts left open the possibility the 28-year-old would report to Dodger Stadium in time to participate in the series finale. But Roberts said after the loss to the Rockies that Pederson was not present.
“I should know more and I think everyone will know more [Monday] morning,” Roberts added. His vague fueled early speculation that Pederson was with his wife as the couple was expecting their second child.
Pederson has appeared in 34 games this season, though is yet to find any sort of rhythm at the plate. He does have six home runs and 12 RBI, but overall is batting just .184/.286/.398. Pederson is due to become a free agent this winter.
Pederson has to a miss a minimum of one day and can be away from the team for a maximum of three while on the paternity list. That aligns well with the Dodgers’ three-game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks that begins Tuesday.
L.A. is then off Friday before facing the Houston Astros this weekend.
Sborz is back with the Dodgers for a third time this season, but he’s only appeared in one game thus far. He tossed a scoreless inning to follow Clayton Kershaw in a win in the first game of a doubleheader against the San Francisco Giants last moth.
Sborz has pitched in eight games over parts of two seasons with the Dodgers, going 0-1 with a 7.20 ERA. However, Sborz has not allowed a run in five of his last six appearances. The right-hander made his MLB debut in June 2019.
Roberts pleased with Dodgers’ play
A loss to the Rockies on Sunday meant the Dodgers dropped their first series of the season. They were the last team to suffer such a fate in 2020.
“It’s great. I think it was a good run. You’ve got to hand it to the Rockies. They got after it. You could see their energy. We got beat the last two nights, and that’s going to happen,” Roberts said after the loss.
“Off day, then we’re going to Arizona, and we’ve got to play good baseball. I just like the way we’re playing, so we’ll be fine.”
Have you subscribed to our YouTube channel? It’s the best way to watch player interviews, exclusive coverage from events, participate in our shows, and more!
