The Los Angeles Dodgers activated Caleb Ferguson from the 10-day injured list and optioned JT Chargois and Rocky Gale to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday’s off day. Ferguson was expected to be reinstated prior to the start of a weekend series against the Cincinnati Reds.
He was sidelined April 28 due to an oblique issue that while it required a stint on the IL, was considered a ‘best-case scenario.’ Ferguson quickly was able to resume throwing, which led to a bullpen session and eventual simulated game at Dodger Stadium.
After clearing that hurdle, the left-hander began a rehab assignment that spanned one appearance each with High-A Rancho Cucamonga and Triple-A Oklahoma City. He allowed just one hit and collected three strikeouts over a combined two innings pitched in the two games.
Ferguson is 0-1 with a 3.46 ERA, 6.25 FIP and 1.69 WHIP in 13 games for the Dodgers this season. He began with 6.1 scoreless innings in his first seven appearances of the year. Ferguson’s struggles were particularly evident in his last appearance for the Dodgers as he exited with the bases loaded and nobody out.
Manager Dave Roberts surmised it was possible Ferguson had been attempting to pitch through the oblique injury, which compromised his mechanics.
Chargois was recalled Tuesday as a corresponding move to Julio Urias being placed on a seven-day administrative leave as MLB investigates his reported involvement in an alleged domestic battery incident. Chargois did not appear in either of the two games he was active for.
He’s fared well for Oklahoma City thus far in 2019, going 1-0 with a 1.76 ERA and 1.17 WHIP over 11 games. Chargois has 19 strikeouts against five walks across 15.1 innings pitched with OKC.
He appeared in a career-high 39 games for the Dodgers last season, pitching to a 3.34 ERA, 3.87 FIP and 1.27 WHIP.
Gale’s second stint with the Dodgers with also brief, and he appeared in just one game after being recalled from Oklahoma City on May 10. Gale joined the Dodgers for a second time this season after the club traded Travis d’Arnaud to the Tampa Bay Rays.
Thursday’s moves leave the Dodgers with an open spot on their 25-man active roster. The club presumably will fill it with a position player prior to beginning a three-game series with the Reds.
Friday also marks the start of an eight-game road trip for the Dodgers.
