As expected, the Los Angeles Dodgers added Manny Machado to their 25-man active roster ahead of Friday’s series opener with the Milwaukee Brewers, which marks the start of the second half of the 2018 season. Andrew Toles was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City in a corresponding move.
Coming off season-ending ACL surgery, Toles began the 2018 campaign with Oklahoma City despite an encouraging showing in Spring Training. The decision was explained as one to get him as much regular playing time and at-bats as possible.
Toles was taking advantage of those opportunities but suffered a hamstring injury in mid-April that sidelined him for six weeks. He then joined the Dodgers one month later, when Yasiel Puig was placed on the 10-day disabled list.
Appearing in seven games (five starts) for the Dodgers, Toles went 6-for-23 with a .639 on-base plus slugging percentage, four runs scored, two doubles and four RBI.
Machado’s arrival was championed by Kenley Jansen and Ross Stripling, among others, who believe the team is in strong position for another postseason run. The All-Star shortstop shores up that position, and gives the Dodgers another power bat and added versatility.
While Machado is expected to primarily play shortstop, general manager Farhan Zaidi said the plan calls for him to also see time at third base, which Machado is in agreement with.
His 24 home runs overtake Max Muncy for the team lead, and Machado joins the Dodgers in the midst of a career offensive season that’s seen him bat .315/.387/.575 with a 164 OPS+, 21 doubles and 65 RBI through 96 games.
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