Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts announced Andrew Heaney will be activated off the 15-day injured list for a start Wednesday in the series finale against the Washington Nationals.
Heaney is poised to return after making two starts on a rehab assignment while recovering from his second left shoulder strain this season. He struggled July 16 with Single-A Rancho Cucamonga, throwing 48 pitches and allowing four runs on six hits, including two homers, prior to being removed after just 2.2 innings.
Heaney bounced back in an Arizona Complex League game five days later, collecting eight strikeouts over five innings. He did allow two more home runs along with three singles in the outing.
“It was good,” Heaney said of the outing. “First couple of innings were kind of feeling it a little bit, like feeling for it a little bit, and last three were good.”
Particularly encouraging was Heaney’s efficiency, which allowed him to complete one more inning than expected.
“I still didn’t really hit like my pitch limit but I got five ups,” Heaney noted. “So I think you’re always kind of balancing the two.”
Heaney’s workload while on a rehab assignment has him in position to make a normal start upon returning rather than needing to fill an opener-type role.
The 31-year-old has been on the IL since June 24 (retroactive to June 21), and he previously missed one month as well when recovering from the first shoulder strain. Roberts said the second injury was not as serious as the initial trouble.
Heaney’s return gives Dodgers six-man rotation
With Heaney coming off the IL this week, the Dodgers temporarily will expand to a six-man starting rotation to help provide pitchers with extra rest during a stretch of 18 consecutive games.
However, Roberts said the Dodgers are unlikely to stick with the six-man rotation for all three turns through.
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