Among their slew of moves on the first day active rosters expanded, the Los Angeles Dodgers reinstated Zac Rosscup and Chase Utley from the 10-day disabled list, and activated David Freese and Ryan Madson.
Utley returns after missing the past 25 games due to inflammation in his left wrist. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts recently credited Utley for working to “stay sharp.”
Roberts added: “He’s in a good place, helping us in every way possible. When he’s activated, with our roster, where we’re at, I just don’t know when.”
Having appeared in 69 games thus far, Utley is batting .240/.321/.342 with 10 doubles, one triple, one home run and 14 RBI. Although Utley has struggled some at the plate, he’s excelled as a pinch-hitter, collecting 13 hits (three doubles, one triple) and five RBI in 29 at-bats.
The 39-year-old announced plans to retire at the conclusion of the 2018 season.
Rosscup missed the last couple weeks due to a calf injury. He tossed an immaculate inning against the Seattle Mariners prior to landing on the DL with the leg issue.
In eight games with the Dodgers this season, Rosscup has posted a 6.75 ERA, 6.46 FIP and 1.20 WHIP while striking out 10 and walking one in 6.2 innings. He was claimed off waivers from the Colorado Rockies to fill the lefty specialist role for Los Angeles with Tony Cingrani sidelined by a shoulder injury.
The Dodgers completed a trade for Madson within the 48 hours they were required to do so after claiming him off waivers from the Washington Nationals. Madson appeared in 49 games for Washington and went 2-5 with a 5.28 ERA, 4.35 FIP and 1.42 WHIP while striking out 41 and walking 15 in 44.1 innings.
However, the veteran right-hander isn’t far removed from being among the game’s better relievers. Madson yielded a 1.83 ERA and 0.80 WHIP in 60 combined appearances with the Oakland Athletics and Nationals in 2017.
He brings with him postseason experience and success, sporting a career 2.85 ERA and 62 strikeouts in 47.1 innings pitched across 46 games. The Dodgers had reported interest in Madson before he signed a three-year, $22 million contract with the A’s.
Like Madson, Freese was an acquisition before the Aug. 31 deadline. He hit .283/.337/.447 with 10 doubles, nine home runs and 41 RBI while appearing in 93 games for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
He spent the bulk of his time at third base but also saw action at first base. Freese further adds to the positional flexibility throughout the Dodgers’ roster, and also gives them a viable option against left-handed pitching.
In 122 such plate appearances this season, Freese is batting .284/.344/.413 with five doubles, three home runs and 13 RBI.
