The Los Angeles Dodgers recalled Jake Reed from Triple-A Oklahoma City and selected the contract of Heath Hembree prior to their series opener against the New York Mets. Phil Bickford and Michael Grove were optioned, and Eddy Alvarez was designated for assignment in order to make room for Hembree on the Dodgers’ 40-man roster.
Grove returns to OKC one day after making a spot start in place of Tony Gonsolin, who landed on the 15-day injured list because of a right forearm strain. Although such injury can be cause for concern with a pitcher, Gonsolin and the Dodgers are optimistic the discomfort is not a serious issue.
Gonsolin’s IL stint was backdated to Aug. 26, and he anticipates being activated once eligible.
Grove threw 4.2 innings and allowed just two runs in a no-decision against the Miami Marlins. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts credited the right-hander for his outing despite being asked to fill in on short notice and not arriving in Miami until Monday.
Grove has pitched to a 4.82 ERA and 1.82 WHIP over three games (two starts) with the Dodgers this season. Grove made his MLB debut on May 15 against the Philadelphia Phillies.
Bickford has struggled to the tune of a 5.14 ERA while appearing in 51 games for the Dodgers this season.
Hembree was up in the Majors with the Pittsburgh Pirates earlier this season, and also has pitched for San Francisco Giants, Boston Red Sox, Philadelphia Phillies, Mets and Cincinnati Reds during his career.
Hembree went 1-0 with a 4.82 ERA in 10 games for Oklahoma City after signing a Minor League contract with the Dodgers at the end of June.
Jake Reed in second stint with Dodgers
Reed is added to the Dodgers’ active roster days after joining the team as part of the taxi squad. He arrived in Miami over the weekend amid some the possibility of Chris Martin needing to go on the IL because of a nagging right elbow issue.
Martin not only has avoided the injured list, but he made back-to-back appearances in the series at loanDepot Park. The second of which was inheriting a bases-loaded jam from Craig Kimbrel in the 10th inning and retiring the two batters faced to earn his first save of the season.
The Dodgers claimed Reed off waivers from the Mets in July which marked his second time with the organization. Reed was recalled from OKC on July 27, and allowed one run across 2.2 innings pitched over three appearances.
Reed first joined the Dodgers organization last season when he was signed to a Minor League contract. He posted a 3.38 ERA over six games before getting designated for assignment and claimed off waivers by the Tampa Bay Rays.
However, his time with the Rays was brief as the Mets added Reed on a waiver claim one week later and he remained with the team to finish the 2021 season.
The 29-year-old struggled in just five games for New York this season, yielding an 11.37 ERA, 8.64 FIP and 1.58 WHIP.
In 10 games for the Oklahoma City Dodgers, Reed has gone 2-0 with a 0.87 ERA and 1.06 WHIP.
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