The Los Angeles Dodgers recalled Carlos Frias from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday, and optioned Luis Avilan back to OKC after a short stint in the Majors. Los Angeles also activated Hyun-Jin Ryu from the 60-day disabled list and designated Will Venable for assignment.
This marks Frias’ second time joining the Dodgers this season, though he didn’t appear in a game when he previously was with the club. That figures to change this time around as Los Angeles is hampered by a bullpen that’s shouldered a heavy workload in recent weeks.
Frias was 3-3 with a 4.46 ERA in eight games (four starts) for Oklahoma City. He last pitched 1.2 innings of relief on Sunday.
In 17 games (13 starts) with the Dodgers last season, he was 5-5 with a 4.06 ERA, 4.32 FIP and 1.47 WHIP. The right-hander owns a 4.66 career ERA in 32 games (15 starts).
Frias figures to play a long-reliever role on Thursday should Ryu falter through his 2016 debut and turn in a short outing.
Avilan joined the Dodgers on Tuesday when Julio Urias was optioned to Oklahoma City. The left-handed reliever appeared in two games against the Baltimore Orioles, throwing a combined two scoreless innings with three strikeouts.
Prior to that stint, Avilan sported a 27.00 ERA in just one-plus innings over four appearances.
