As expected the Los Angeles Dodgers reinstated Rob Segedin from the paternity list prior to Thursday’s series finale against the San Francisco Giants. In addition, the Dodgers called up Shawn Zarraga from Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Luis Avilan was optioned to Triple-A and Scott Van Slyke was transferred to the 60-day disabled list to clear room for Zarraga on the active roster. Van Slyke’s original DL stint dates back to Aug. 8, which suggests he may not return from a wrist injury. Season-ending surgery was said to be a possibility for Van Slyke.
This marks Zarraga’s first time joining a big league roster. He hit a combined .265/.348/.327 with seven doubles and 14 RBI over time with Oklahoma City and Double-A Tulsa this season.
He fills the backup catcher role that was left by vacant by the trade that sent A.J. Ellis to the Philadelphia Phillies. Carlos Ruiz is expected to join the Dodgers, and start, on Friday night.
Segedin once again starts in right field with the Dodgers facing a left-hander in Matt Moore. He was in the lineup Tuesday night and removed in the eighth inning as part of a double switch.
Segedin rushed to the hospital to be with his wife for the birth of their first child. His whirlwind of a night included hitting a solo home run off Madison Bumgarner.
Since joining the Dodgers from Oklahoma City last month, Segedin is batting .286/.325/.486 with one double, two home runs and 12 RBI in 15 games (eight starts). He’s punished left-handed pitching to the tune of a .333/.333/.667 slash line with one home run and five RBI in 12 plate appearances.
Segedin was permitted to miss a maximum of three days while on the paternity list, but that was immediately ruled out as possibility as he had to be convinced by Dodgers manager Dave Roberts to step away for the one game.
