The Los Angeles Dodgers recalled Adam Liberatore from Triple-A Oklahoma City and optioned Brett Eibner prior to Sunday’s series finale against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Liberatore’s arrival gives Los Angeles a second left-handed reliever and a much-needed fresh arm in an eight-man bullpen.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has walked a tight rope on multiple occasions with his bullpen since being shorthanded on Monday against the Diamondbacks. Through the first two games at Chase Field, the group has thrown 6.1 innings and allowed 14 runs (13 earned).
The Dodgers entered the series with a bullpen that led the National League in ERA (1.33) and opponents’ batting average (.169), and paced the Majors in WHIP (0.87), opponents on-base percentage (.225) and opponents’ slugging percentage (.236).
Liberatore went 0-1 with a 1.59 ERA and 0.88 WHIP in six games with Oklahoma City. He last pitched on Wednesday. This marks Liberatore’s first stint with the Dodgers in 2017.
Last season, he went 2-2 and pitched to a 3.38 ERA and 1.20 WHIP over a career-high 58 games with the Dodgers. At one point Liberatore strung together 24 consecutive scoreless appearances, which set a franchise record. Knee and elbow trouble were enough to derail his season.
Eibner returns to Oklahoma City after appearing in three games for the Dodgers, making two starts. He went 1-for-5 with three strikeouts during that span. Prior to replacing Rob Segedin on the active roster, Eibner batted .344/.389/.656 with one double, three home runs and eight RBI over 12 Triple-A games.
