Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Sergio Romo began a rehab assignment with High-A Rancho Cucamonga on Wednesday. He started for the Quakes and threw a perfect first inning against the Inland Empire 66ers (Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim affiliate), complete with two strikeouts.
Romo was placed on the 10-day disabled list June 9, though retroactive to the day prior, with a sprained left ankle. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts expressed optimism Romo would make a quick recovery from the minor injury.
The 34-year-old has largely struggled in his first season. Romo is 1-1 with 6.41 ERA, 5.41 FIP and 1.37 WHIP in 24 games. He’s recorded 23 strikeouts against nine walks, but allowed five home runs in 19.2 innings of work.
Romo’s 2.3 home runs per nine innings is on pace to be a career-worst mark, and his 14.3 percent fly ball/home run rate would be the fourth-worst.
Romo’s stint on the disabled list is the fourth of his career. He previously missed time in 2009 and 2011 with elbow trouble, and last season because of a forearm flexor strain.
The Dodgers reinstated Luis Avilan at the time of putting Romo on the DL. The club would need to make a corresponding roster move in order to active the right-hander, which could come as early as this weekend.
