The Los Angeles Dodgers recalled Kyle Garlick from Triple-A Oklahoma City and placed Tyler White on the 10-day injured list with a right trap strain prior to the three-game series opener against the Miami Marlins. Tuesday’s matchup marks the start of a six-game road trip for the Dodgers.
Garlick, who is one of seven Dodgers rookies to make his MLB debut this season, joins the club for a fourth time. He reported to Dodger Stadium last week as Alex Verdugo (knee contusion) and A.J. Pollock (groin) were dealing with minor injuries, but was never activated.
Garlick has hit .216/.275/.432 with two doubles, two home runs and four RBI over 25 games with the Dodgers. He hit .319/.392/.685 with 23 doubles, 20 home runs and 51 RBI through 69 games for Oklahoma City.
While his production hasn’t been at the same level of Tony Gonsolin, Dustin May or Will Smith, Garlick has nonetheless impressed the Dodgers with his work ethic and ability to assimilate in the clubhouse.
“He got on our radar a couple years ago before he was on the 40-man roster. Had a really good year in Double-A, hit a lot of homers,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts recently recalled.
“College player, just kind of an organizational grinder that he just continued to perform. We saw him at Spring Training in Major League camp and I loved the at-bats, the way he played the game. You keep reading reports and talking to coaches and the front office, he created this opportunity himself.
“Now when you get an opportunity and you capitalize, all the credit goes to him. The guy plays the game because he loves it. We have some guys in the clubhouse like that. Justin Turner was a guy like that, Austin Barnes was like that. Rich Hill, he had a crazy trek. Everyone has different paths but it’s stories like that, those are fun stories.”
White, who was acquired from the Houston Astros, has struggled in his limited time with the Dodgers. The 28-year-old has appeared in 12 games (five starts) and gone just 1-for-22 with two RBI and four walks. White’s lone hit came in his first start with the club on June 30.
He was acquired to provide some insurance as David Freese remains sidelined by a hamstring strain. Freese is not expected to be reinstated until active rosters expand on Sept. 1.
