The Los Angeles Dodgers recalled Brock Stewart and selected the contract of Wilmer Font. Both right-handers join the team from Triple-A Oklahoma City. Stewart’s arrival has long been expected, as he’s starting the day game of Saturday’s doubleheader at Petco Park.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts didn’t publicly reveal until Friday that Font would also join the club during the weekend series against the San Diego Padres. The 27-year-old was named the 2017 Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Year and included on the 12-man All-PCL team.
Font went 10-8 with a 3.42 ERA and 1.10 WHIP in 25 starts this season. He led the PCL in ERA, WHIP, opponents’ batting average (.222), strikeouts (178), strikeouts per nine innings (11.93), and tied for the lead in starts, tied for third in wins and ranked fifth in innings pitched (134.1).
Font’s strikeout total was most among all Triple-A pitchers and second overall in the Minors. He produced five starts with at least 10 strikeouts, which tied Oklahoma City’s single-season record that was set by Jose De Leon in 2016.
Font made his MLB debut in 2012 with the Texas Rangers and last pitched in the Majors in 2013. He yields a 5.40 ERA, 7.88 FIP and 2.10 WHIP in five career games.
The Dodgers signed Font to a Minor League contract last December. Jordan Jankowski was designated for assignment in order to add Font to the 40-man roster.
Stewart has yet to earn a decision in 10 games (three starts) with the Dodgers this season. He owns a 3.38 ERA, 4.84 FIP and 1.29 WHIP in 24 innings of work that have come across three separate stints.
A shoulder injury cut Spring Training short for Stewart, and delayed his 2017 debut. As a result, the Dodgers viewed him as a long reliever this season. Stewart earned a save and threw 13 scoreless innings over his first six appearances.
He allowed five unearned runs in a start against the Minnesota Twins on July 26, then allowed a combined nine earned runs in 7.1 innings (11.05 ERA) in his next three games (one start). Stewart last pitched Aug. 27 for Oklahoma City, allowing three runs in four innings and suffering the loss.
The 25-year-old went 0-1 with a 3.12 ERA in five starts for the affiliate, and also made a rehab start with High-A Rancho Cucamonga in May.
