The Los Angeles Dodgers are expected to make another wave of roster call-ups over the next two days, plus add Kyle Farmer over the weekend. Joc Pederson and Trayce Thompson are slated to be recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Tuesday, with Walker Buehler joining the Dodgers on Wednesday.
Buehler, 21, is the organization’s top-rated pitching prospect. He’ll reunite with former OKC teammate and the Dodgers’ No. 2 prospect, Alex Verdugo. Like with Verdugo, who’s started four of five games since joining the Dodgers for his MLB debut, Buehler figures to receive his share of opportunities.
“To get him here and reward him for being as good as he has been this year, to get him around around our players, we feel it can help him,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “And also in between the lines, he can help us get some innings and get some outs.”
While Buehler began the season as a starter, he exclusively pitched out of the bullpen for Oklahoma City since August.
There’s some thought the Dodgers will possibly include the right-hander on their playoff roster, which Roberts neither ruled out or committed to at this time.
“It all depends on how he fares,” said Roberts of Buehler. “He’s going to get opportunities, but when you’re talking about the postseason, we’re really not thinking about a postseason roster.
“He’s going to get opportunities and like I say, every day is a test. He’s had a very quick ascension. He’s ultra, ultra-competitive and ultra talented.”
There isn’t nearly as much anticipation for the arrivals of Pederson or Thomspon, and in particular Pederson, who struggled after being demoted. In 14 games with Oklahoma City, he went 8-for-61 (.131) with two doubles, one home run, five RBI, five walks and 10 strikeouts.
Pederson posted a .227 on-base percentage and .230 slugging. Despite the results not suggesting as much, Roberts said there was improvement in Pederson’s swing mechanics.
Once the team’s starting center fielder, there’s some thought Pederson will compete against Verdugo for a spot on the Dodgers’ playoff roster.
