The Los Angeles Dodgers recalled Josh Ravin from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Monday and placed Joe Blanton on the bereavement list. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said he expects Blanton to return Friday.
Ravin began the 2016 season on the 60-day disabled list due to a fractured left forearm, suffered in a car accident during Spring Training. The right-hander was then suspended 80 games by Major League Baseball during his recovery for testing positive for a performance enhancing drug.
Ravin was reinstated from the restricted list on Wednesday. He allowed two runs (one earned), had 11 strikeouts and held opponents to a .105/.105/.263 batting line in four games (five innings) with the Arizona League Dodgers prior to being reinstated.
The 28-year-old threw two four scoreless innings, had seven strikeouts and allowed one hit over two relief appearances with Oklahoma City. Roberts commended the hard-throwing righty for improving the command of his slider.
“I think the air with the suspension has been cleared. We’re happy to have Josh here to help us win some games,” said Roberts in response to there potentially being any animosity over Ravin’s suspension.
Ravin appeared in nine games for the Dodgers last season, recording 12 strikeouts and posting a 6.75 ERA and 1.82 WHIP over 9.1 innings pitched. He was selected by the Cincinnati Reds in the fifth round of the 2006 MLB Draft and spent eight seasons in the Reds’ farm system before joining the Dodgers organization in 2014.
