When the Los Angeles Dodgers traded Juan Uribe and Chris Withrow to the Atlanta Braves on May 27, they acquired utility infielder Alberto Callaspo, as well as left-handed pitchers Eric Stults and Ian Thomas.
While the trade was mainly to appease Uribe’s desire of playing on a daily basis, the Dodgers made use of Callaspo and Thomas.
Callaspo was later designated for assignment, and Thomas spent multiple stints up with the Dodgers. He tossed a total of 18 innings in nine appearances, including one start.
Thomas finished 1-1 with a 4.00 ERA, 2.86 FIP, 1.22 WHIP, 18 strikeouts and six walks over the nine games.
The left-hander debuted with the Dodgers on June 2, providing a long relief option as the permitted 26th man on the active roster due to a doubleheader scheduled against the Colorado Rockies.
Thomas threw three innings out of the bullpen, allowing four runs on five hits and suffering the loss.
After two more one-game stints with the Dodgers in July, Thomas remained for good in the month of September once active rosters expanded. In six September outings, he gave up just three runs in eight innings while striking out 10.
Overall in Triple-A Oklahoma City, Thomas made 14 appearances, six of which were starts. He finished 4-1 with a 5.74 ERA and 1.65 WHIP in 42.1 innings of work.
2015 Highlight
Thomas’ only start of the season for the Dodgers came on July 24 in New York against the Mets. The 28 year old threw five solid innings, giving up three hits and one run while striking out five, earning his first victory with Los Angeles.
2016 Outlook
Barring a surprise, Thomas should begin next season with the OKC Dodgers. Given he has Major League experience and can fill multiple roles, it won’t come as a surprise should he again join the Dodgers at various points throughout the season.
