The Los Angeles Dodgers selected the contract of Justin Bruihl from Triple-A Oklahoma City and placed Garrett Cleavinger on the 10-day injured list with a right oblique strain. Cleavinger’s IL stint is retroactive to Saturday.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts couldn’t offer a definitive timeline for his return, but estimated Cleavinger would be sidelined for at least two weeks. Cleavinger previously missed time this season due to left elbow inflammation.
He last pitched on Friday night, taking the loss against the L.A. Angels. On the season, Cleavinger is 2-4 with a 3.00 ERA and 1.78 WHIP in 22 games, which included one start as an opener.
Cleavinger also was part of a rarity as the Dodgers had three relief pitchers from the University of Oregon appear in the same game. Cleavinger combined with Jake Reed and Jimmie Sherfy to accomplish the feat.
It marked the first time all three pitched in the same game since doing so for the Ducks in 2013.
Bruihl, who was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2017, began this season at Double-A Tulsa and earned a promotion to Oklahoma City in June. The southpaw went a combined 4-0 with a 2.63 ERA and 50 strikeouts over 37.2 innings pitched across 26 games (one start).
In three Minor League seasons, Bruihl is a combined 14-2 with a 3.73 ERA and 145 strikeouts in 72 games.
The Dodgers did not announce a corresponding move on their 40-man roster in order to add Bruihl. However, Darien Nuñez was placed on the IL without a designation on Saturday. It can be presumed he landed on the COVID IL, which removes a player from the 40-man roster.
Dodgers losing relievers
Cleavinger is the sixth Dodgers relief pitcher involved in an IL move since the start of August. It began Sherfy getting transferred to the 60-day IL, which effectively ended his season, and includes Jimmy Nelson requiring Tommy John surgery and a right flexor tendon repair.
“It’s obviously very difficult for him,” Roberts said. “Three or four days ago we had him up, getting ready to come in the game, and it just gave way. He felt something and we had to shut him down.
“Brought Victor Gonzalez in the game at that point in time and got the testing. I don’t know what day but I know surgery is scheduled. We feel very, very bad for him because he’s been a big part of this.”
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