The Los Angeles Dodgers recalled Zach McKinstry from Triple-A Oklahoma City and placed Andrew Heaney on the 10-day injured list roughly 30 minutes before first pitch of the series finale against the Atlanta Braves.
When McKinstry was seen in the Dodgers clubhouse on Wednesday morning the assumption was he would take a roster spot in place of Gavin Lux, who is unavailable due to lower back tightness. However, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Lux should return for the San Diego Padres series.
McKinstry began the 2022 season with Oklahoma City, where he hit .404 with three doubles, four triples, one home run and nine RBI over 12 games. He was named Pacific Coast League Player of the Week for games played April 5-10.
McKinstry leads the PCL in triples, is second in total bases (35), third in batting average and extra-base hits (10) and seventh in on-base plus slugging percentage (1.121).
In 64 games over parts of two seasons with the Dodgers, McKinstry has hit .218/.264/.406 with 10 doubles, seven home runs and 29 RBI.
With McKinstry in the fold, the Dodgers effectively are back to a four-man bench even with Lux not part of the picture. The team additionally is down to 15 pitchers on their active roster.
Heaney impressing with Dodgers
Signed to a one-year contract during the offseason with an eye on unlocking potential, Heaney had been nothing short of impressive in his two starts with the Dodgers.
He’s thrown 10.1 scoreless innings and collected 16 strikeouts against three walks, while pitching with a new slider.
“I think confidence is growing with that breaking ball. Today felt better than the last time out,” Heaney said after his start against the Cincinnati Reds. “And I think it’s kind of one of those things that you don’t want to try and get too far ahead of yourself.
“Like you got to stay within yourself and know what you can do. But I’m getting more and more comfortable with it. That’s a good feeling.”
Heaney was scheduled to start Saturday against the Padres, which presumably may be filled by Tyler Anderson. However, that will rule out Anderson from appearing Wednesday in the piggyback role he has with Tony Gonsolin.
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