The Los Angeles Dodgers made the expected move of activating Brandon McCarthy from the 60-day disabled list official on Sunday. McCarthy starts the three-game series finale against the Colorado Rockies, with Los Angeles looking to complete the sweep.
Brock Stewart was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City to clear room for McCarthy on the active roster. Yaisel Sierra was outrighted to create room for McCarthy on the 40-man roster.
Stewart allowed five runs on eight hits and had seven strikeouts in his Major League debut on Wednesday, pitching better than his final line suggests. The right-hander made four rehab starts; three with High-A Rancho Cucamonga and one with Triple-A Oklahoma City.
McCarthy started twice for the Quakes, joined the OKC Dodgers, then returned to Rancho Cucamonga for a final rehab outing. He finished with a combined 4.61 ERA and had 11 strikeouts over 13.2 innings pitched. McCarthy’s longest outing came June 27 with the Quakes when he tossed five innings.
He otherwise never made it beyond the fourth inning. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said there aren’t any limitations on McCarthy in his first Major League start since April 25, 2015.
While the 32 year old acknowledged there’s excitement in returning to the mound, McCarthy is hopeful to treat it like any other start.
