The Los Angeles Dodgers optioned Hunter Feduccia to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday, which was an off day on the team’s schedule after completing a six-game road trip.
The Dodgers went a combined 2-4 against the Philadelphia Phillies and Washington Nationals, with Feduccia playing in just two of those games (one start).
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Feduccia was recalled from Oklahoma City last week as a result of Freddie Freeman going on the 10-day injured list with a sprained right ankle.
Feduccia received the call-up over the likes of James Outman, Hyeseong Kim and top Dodgers prospect Dalton Rushing. Manager Dave Roberts explained the organization didn’t want Rushing to reach the Majors for the first time to primarily be available off the bench, and that Kim continues to develop and is viewed as more of a longer-term play.
Given the optimism surrounding Freeman’s ankle injury that he suffered upon slipping in the shower, whoever replaced him on the active roster was only going to be up with the team for a brief time. Similar circumstances played out last season when Feduccia made his MLB debut.
Feduccia is batting .357/.526/.643 with one double, one home run, four RBI and five walks for the OKC Comets so far this season.
“I do think we see his value,” Roberts said of Feduccia during the spring. “Obviously with Will (Smith) and Austin (Barnes), I think he’s the third catcher in the organization. If something happens, then he’d be the guy that we’d look to.
“I think the bat translates. It’s a very easy-maintenance swing, low-maintenance swing. He really controls the strike zone. Certainly, with our two right-handed hitting catchers, to complement being on the left side of the box is a good thing.
“He’s starting to get more familiar with the other pitchers, sequencing and things like that. He’s an organizational guy, he’s done a lot of good stuff for us. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him up at some point in time.”
Hunter Feduccia option makes room for Freeman
By sending Feduccia back to Oklahoma City, the Dodgers are primed to activate Freeman off the injured list on Friday. That was the hope when Freeman was sidelined last week, and Roberts reiterated Wednesday he remained on track to return for the start of the Dodgers’ homestand.
That not only comes at an opportune time given the team’s recent struggles, but Friday is also Freddie Freeman bobblehead night at Dodger Stadium. One of Freeman’s three sons, Charlie, is throwing out the ceremonial first pitch.
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