The Los Angeles Dodgers optioned relief pitchers Josh Fields and Adam Liberatore to Minor League on Tuesday. That essentially cements the pitching staff for the club come Opening Day of the 2017 season. Though, it of course is barring a potential trade or injury.
The final spot in the starting rotation is down to a competition between Brandon McCarthy and Alex Wood. One will slot into the rotation, while the other is bound for the bullpen. Including McCarthy or Wood, the Dodgers’ bullpen should be comprised of Luis Avilan, Grant Dayton, Chris Hatcher, Kenley Jansen, Sergio Romo and Ross Stripling.
Pedro Baez, Scott Kazmir, Josh Ravin and Brock Stewart are expected to begin the season on the disabled list.
Fields appeared in nine Cactus League games, though didn’t pitch in either of the Dodgers’ split-squad games on Tuesday. His velocity was lacking for much of the spring and it played into him yielding a 9.72 ERA and surrendering three home runs.
Fields did string together 4.1 scoreless innings over his last four appearances. The Dodgers acquired Fields last August from the Houston Astros in exchange for Minor League first baseman Yordan Alvarez. The right-hander pitched to a 2.79 ERA and 1.45 WHIP while appearing in 22 games with the Dodgers.
Liberatore went 1-0 and sported a 4.05 ERA and 1.65 WHIP in 6.2 innings across eight Cactus League games. He allowed one home run, and had six strikeouts to a pair of walks.
Liberatore set a Dodgers franchise record last season with 28 consecutive scoreless appearances. He appeared in a career-high 58 games and pitched to a 3.38 ERA, 2.89 FIP and 1.19 WHIP. However, the 29-year-old suffered a knee injury and later underwent season-ending debridement of his left elbow.
