The Los Angeles Dodgers optioned Adam Liberatore to Minor League camp after their walk-off win against the Texas Rangers on Monday night. The move is the first in what’s expected to be a flurry of roster activity ahead of Opening Day.
Liberatore threw nine innings across 10 appearances this spring, posting a 3.00 ERA and 0.89 WHIP with 11 strikeouts and zero walks. He last pitched on Saturday, allowing a solo home run in one inning of work against the Seattle Mariners.
With Liberatore getting cut, it leaves the Dodgers with Luis Avilan and J.P. Howell as their left-handed relievers. Liberatore faced a similar hurdle last spring — his first with the Dodgers — as he was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City in favor of Howell and Paco Rodriguez.
Liberatore was recalled on April 17 and made his Major League debut that night. In total, he appeared in 39 games with the Dodgers. The left-hander finished the season with a 4.25 ERA, 3.40 FIP and 1.18 WHIP in 29.2 innings pitched.
Liberatore averaged 8.8 strikeouts per nine innings, and had 29 strikeouts to nine walks. In 19 games with Oklahoma City, the lefty sported a 3.74 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and averaged 7.5 strikeouts per nine innings.
The Dodgers presumably will carry Avilan and Howell as their lefties out of the bullpen come the regular season, though it should be noted Avilan does have options remaining. His spot could hinge on how the Dodgers elect to proceed with their bevy of right-handed relievers.
