Along with Nick Robertson and Alex Vesia both getting recalled as corresponding roster moves to Daniel Hudson being placed on the 15-day injured list (sprained MCL in his right knee) and Yency Almonte going on paternity leave, Los Angeles Dodgers prospect Landon Knack was also added to the team’s taxi squad.
Knack’s arrival at Dodger Stadium was insurance in the event Brusdar Graterol needed to be placed on the IL because of right shoulder trouble. Graterol was unavailable to pitch Tuesday and Wednesday, making his status for the series finale against the Pittsburgh Pirates unclear.
“Right now, that would be the case if we have to pull that lever,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts answered when asked if Knack would fill a bullpen role similar to what Gavin Stone just did.
“Obviously, Landon is a starter and he’s one of our top prospects. Just to have him here for length coverage would be the impetus for that.”
Graterol wound up feeling healthy after playing catch prior to the Dodgers’ 5-2 win on Thursday, and he faced the minimum in a scoreless eighth inning.
Following the game Roberts said the Dodgers would “stand pat” on any potential bullpen moves heading into the opener of the Freeway Series.
That not only amounts to Knack remaining on the taxi squad if not returning to Triple-A Oklahoma City, but it also puts Noah Syndergaard back on track to pitch in a simulated game.
Syndergaard had been scheduled to face Dodgers teammates on Thursday for a second time since being put on the IL, but the throwing exercise was put on hold amid the possibility of the team needing more pitchers.
“We wanted to sort of leave optionality, depending on what happens tonight,” Roberts explained. “We want coverage for tomorrow and the next day, so there’s a crazy scenario that Noah might be in place. You just never know.”
Landon Knack excelling
Knack is among multiple Dodgers pitching prospects who have dominated their way through the 2023 Minor League season thus far. He went 2-0 with a 2.20 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 61 strikeouts over 57.1 innings pitched across 12 starts for Double-A Tulsa.
Since being promoted to Oklahoma City, Knack is 2-0 with a 3.29 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 16 strikeouts across 13.2 innings in two starts.
If Knack is activated at some point, he would become the eighth Dodgers Minor Leaguer to make his MLB debut this season. Michael Busch (April 25), Gavin Stone (May 3), Bobby Miller (May 23), Jonny DeLuca (June 7), Nick Robertson (June 7), Emmet Sheehan (June 16) and Bryan Hudson (June 17) have already done so.
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!
