The Los Angeles Dodgers placed Caleb Ferguson on the 60-day injured list as the corresponding move to make room on the 40-man roster for Justin Turner. The Dodgers re-signed Turner to a two-year contract that was made official Friday.
Ferguson is not expected to pitch during the 2021 season as he continues to recover from Tommy John surgery. He initially hoped to avoid the operation after being removed from a game last September, but an MRI revealed a significantly torn UCL in his left elbow.
“Just understanding it’s a long road ahead, but we’re going to be with him every step of the way,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said at the time. “He is a big part of what we’re doing and what we’re planning on doing going forward. I just feel terrible.”
Ferguson previously underwent Tommy John surgery as a senior in high school in 2014. That played a role in falling in the MLB Draft that year and ultimately being selected by the Dodgers in the 38th round.
Ferguson earned a spot on the Opening Day roster last season and pitched well into August. In his first 11 appearances, Ferguson posted an 0.84 ERA with 15 strikeouts over 10.2 innings of work.
However, he struggled at the start of September, allowing a home run in three consecutive outings. As a result Ferguson saw his ERA rise from 0.63 to 3.31. The southpaw rebounded with three straight scoreless appearances before suffering the elbow injury.
Ferguson went 2-1 with a 2.89 ERA, 3.57 FIP and 1.02 WHIP across 18.2 innings pitched in 21 games. He posted career-highs in strikeouts per nine (13.0) and walks per nine (1.4) and held right-handed hitters to a .191 batting average, while the same split hit .280 against him.
Dodgers lefty relief pitchers without Ferguson
With Ferguson likely due to miss the season, the Dodgers addressed their collection of left-handed relievers by trading for Garrett Cleavinger and Alex Vesia. They are accompanied by Scott Alexander and Victor Gonzalez.
Adam Kolarek was also part of the group but the Dodgers traded him to the Oakland Athletics.
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