The Los Angeles Dodgers announced that they placed Victor Gonzalez on the 10-day injured list with left plantar fasciitis and recalled Garrett Cleavinger.
Cleavinger was just optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City a couple of days ago after Scott Alexander was reinstated but is eligible to return because he is replacing a player that was placed on the injured list.
In 15 games for the Dodgers this season, Cleavinger has pitched to a 2.03 ERA, 5.11 FIP and 1.73 WHIP with 15 strikeouts and nine walks in 13.1 innings.
Gonzalez has not looked like his usual self as of late, allowing the game-winning home run in Monday night’s loss to the Miami Marlins. Overall on the season, he has yielded a 2.57 ERA, 4.16 FIP and 1.36 WHIP with 26 strikeouts and 15 walks in 28 innings across 36 appearances.
In his last five appearances though, Gonzalez has allowed seven hits and a pair of runs in four innings, which could be related to the inning.
Dave Roberts said after Monday night’s loss that he believes Gonzalez’s issues were related to his command.
“That’s all it is,” Roberts said. “I think command hasn’t been consistent. Command isn’t what it has been, certainly last year, so I think that’s kind of what it is. I thought [Monday], his slider was really good, but two strikes to Alfaro, he just didn’t get it to the dirt.”
Roberts added at the time that he didn’t believe Gonzalez’s struggles were due to fatigue from leading the team in appearances this season.
“He doesn’t physically look tired. There’s still the characteristics and velocity to the fastball. I do think there’s something to the fact that the command isn’t there. There’s been one lefty (on the active roster) at times this year, so we have gone to him a lot. Relative to other left-handed relievers, I think he’s right there in the middle, but yeah, we go to him.”
It’s unclear how long Gonzalez will be out, but considering how much the Dodgers have relied on him this year, a little break may not be the worst thing in the world.
Dodgers select contract of reliever Jake Reed
The Dodgers also made another roster move on Tuesday, selecting the contract of reliever Jake Reed and designating outfielder Steven Souza Jr. for assignment.
With a bullpen game coming up on Wednesday and Gonzalez now going down with injury, the Dodgers can certainly use some reinforcements and that’s what Reed provides.
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