The Los Angeles Dodgers placed Clayton Kershaw and Brandon McCarthy on the 10-day disabled list, optioned Trayce Thompson to Triple-A Oklahoma City, and reinstated Hyun-Jin Ryu from the DL, recalled Josh Ravin and selected the contract of Edward Paredes. McCarthy’s DL stint is retroactive to July 21.
He was tentatively scheduled to pitch Tuesday, but was ruled out after throwing a bullpen session on Sunday. McCarthy has been bothered all season by a blister on the middle finger of his throwing hand. Kenta Maeda is slated to face the Twins in McCarthy’s place.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was encouraged by an MRI on Kershaw’s back, which Roberts described as a “much better” prognosis when compared to last year’s back (herniated disc) injury. The Dodgers and Kershaw are expected to meet with Dr. Robert Watkins on Monday.
It’s presumed a timetable will at that point be put into place. Roberts declined to confirm if the projected four to six weeks recovery was accurate. Kershaw is the 24th different player the Dodgers have placed on the disabled list this season.
Thompson returns to Oklahoma City after yet another rough stretch with the Dodgers. He joined the team June 26, appeared in 16 games, making 10 starts and going 5-for-35 with two doubles, one triple, one home run, two RBI, five walks and 16 strikeouts.
Paredes, a left-handed reliever who began the season with Double-A Tulsa, gives the Dodgers a fresh arm for a bullpen that combined to pitch seven innings in the wake of Clayton Kershaw’s short start. Paredes went 0-2 with a 2.81 ERA in 24 games with the Drillers, and 1-0 with a 1.08 ERA in six games for Oklahoma City.
The 30-year-old has yet to pitch in the Majors, having spent parts of nine seasons in the farm systems of the Seattle Mariners, Cleveland Indians and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, in addition to the Dodgers. Los Angeles selected Paredes in the 2016 Rule 5 Draft.
Ryu starts Monday night at Dodger Stadium in the series opener against the Minnesota Twins. He last pitched June 28 against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, during which he was struck on his left foot by a line drive.
Ryu managed to remain in the game and pitch into the sixth inning. He underwent X-rays that night, additional testing followed, and results of both were negative. Residual pain and swelling nonetheless forced Ryu to the disabled list July 4.
He threw multiple simulated games as preparation for a return to the mound. Ryu’s durability and level of success figures to carry more significance now that the Dodgers are expected to be without Kershaw for at least one month. Ryu this season 3-6 with one save, a 4.21 ERA and 1.40 WHIP in 14 games (13 starts).
Ravin threw two scoreless innings in a lone appearance for the Dodgers this season. He’s 3-0 with a 4.66 ERA and 45 strikeouts in 29 innings across 24 games with Oklahoma City.
