The Los Angeles Dodgers placed Craig Kimbrel on the paternity list and recalled Phil Bickford from Triple-A Oklahoma City before their series opener against the Chicago White Sox.
Per MLB rules, a player put on paternity leave requires them to miss at least one day but no more than three. Thus, Kimbrel may wind up missing the entire series against his former White Sox teammates.
The Dodgers begin a three-game set against the San Francisco Giants on Friday.
Kimbrel is 0-2 with 11 saves in 12 opportunities, to go along with a 4.00 ERA and 1.22 WHIP. Kimbrel’s most recent appearance resulted in being tabbed with a loss after allowing the New York Mets to take a decided lead in the 10th inning on Sunday.
Prior to that, Kimbrel bounced back from a blown save by retiring the Mets in order in the series opener. Kimbrel is the active saves leader and needs just 17 more to become only the seventh player in MLB history to reach 400 in a career.
Bickford is back with the Dodgers just over two weeks after getting optioned as the corresponding move to recalling Ryan Pepiot for a spot start.
Bickford has pitched to a 3.45 ERA and collected 13 strikeouts over 15.2 innings across 17 games with L.A. this season. He has a 9.00 ERA over six appearances for Oklahoma City, which is largely inflated due to recently allowing three runs over one inning.
Dodgers adjust plan with Kimbrel
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts recently outlined a new plan the club and Kimbrel agreed to that would guarantee he pitches at least once every three days. While a successful closer throughout his career, the new commitment could see Kimbrel pitch in non-save situations as well.
“I think it’s on all of us to make sure he pitches consistently,” Roberts said. “If we can do that, I think the performance will kind of mirror that.”
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