The Los Angeles Dodgers are off on Thursday but still made changes to their active roster be reinstating Garrett Cleavinger from the 10-day injured list and optioning Luke Raley back to Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Raley was recalled last weekend when the Dodgers placed Max Muncy on the IL with a right oblique strain. He appeared in four games, made one start and went 1-for-6 with four strikeouts in his latest stint with the Dodgers.
Overall, Raley has appeared in 27 games (10 starts) and largely struggled since making his MLB debut. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has credited the 26-year-old for continuing to learn despite the challenges of being a young player thrust into a bench role.
Cleavinger is back with the Dodgers after missing 27 games due to left elbow inflammation. His return again gives the team 14 pitchers on their active roster heading into a stretch of 12 consecutive games without an off day.
Prior to being sidelined, Cleavinger allowed six runs (three earned) over six innings pitched across eight relief appearances for L.A. He recently completed a rehab assignment with Oklahoma City, collecting seven strikeouts in four scoreless innings across four games.
Dodgers bullpen taking shape
While the Dodgers have dealt with a rash of injuries to their pitching staff and position players, the bullpen has recently inched closer to full health. Jimmy Nelson returned at the beginning of June, Brusdar Graterol was activated and optioned to Oklahoma City to refine his pitches, and Cleavinger is now with the team.
Furthermore, Scott Alexander has twice thrown live batting practice at Dodger Stadium and should soon start a rehab assignment.
Dodgers trade Santana
Also on Thursday, the Dodgers traded Dennis Santana to the Texas Rangers in exchange for Minor League southpaw Kelvin Bautista. Santana was designated for assignment last weekend as one of two corresponding moves to add Andy Burns to the roster.
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