UPDATE (July 28, 11:45 a.m. PT): The Los Angeles Dodgers acquired Lance Lynn and Joe Kelly in a trade with the Chicago White Sox. Nick Nastrini, Jordan Leasure and Trayce Thompson were traded to the White Sox in the deal.
Trayce Thompson and Miguel Vargas both made significant contributions in a 2-1 win for Triple-A Oklahoma City over the Reno Aces (Arizona Diamondbacks affiliate) on Thursday. The OKC Dodgers extended their road winning streak to 11 games, which is the longest in the Bricktown era (since 1998).
Furthermore, OKC is now a Minor-League best 36-12 on the road this season, and 14-1 in their last 15 games away from home.
Thompson began his big night with a diving catch in center field for the second out in the first inning. He then doubled in the firth inning and brought a run in during the sixth with his extra-base hit that broke up the scoreless tie.
Thompson finished the night 2-for-3 with two doubles, one RBI and a hit by pitch. In two game with Oklahoma City, Thompson has gone a combined 5-for-8 with four doubles, one home run and three RBI.
The 32-year-old has been on the injured list since June 4 because of a left oblique strain. The Dodgers initially expected Thompson to only be out a brief period, but manager Dave Roberts said Thompson’s oblique strain was then discovered to be more serious than first believed.
Thompson was transferred to the 60-day IL on June 11.
Meanwhile, Vargas extended a modest hitting streak to three games with an RBI single after Thompson’s double in the sixth, which ended up being the difference for OKC.
Vargas has been with Oklahoma City since getting demoted at the start of the All-Star break. That came amid a season-long slump that was unexpected for a rookie whose hit tool carried him through the Minors.
Will Trayce Thompson have role with Dodgers?
Thompson struggled in a platoon role this season as he hit .155/.310/.366 in 36 games before the oblique injury. However, he appeared to have turned a corner of late, going 4-for-his-last-6 with a home run, two RBI and two walks after ending a historic 0-for-39 drought.
The Dodgers have maintained Thompson could hit left-handed pitching despite his reverse splits suggesting otherwise. But even if Thompson returns to the Dodgers roster later this season, the team has seemingly addressed their need for a right-handed bat with trades to acquire Kiké Hernández and Amed Rosario.
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