The Los Angeles Dodgers welcomed back Shelby Miller on Thursday and also activated Jonny DeLuca, who immediately was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City.
DeLuca had been on the 10-day injured list since July 26 because of a right hamstring strain. He suffered the injury one night prior, upon entering as a pinch-hitter and playing two innings.
“Halfway through, I don’t really know how to explain it,” DeLuca said at the time. “It just tightened up. Not really like a pop, but just kind of like a cramp feeling. Hopefully not too bad, but we’ll see.”
DeLuca’s injury occurred right after the Dodgers traded for Kiké Hernández, which is who the roster spot went to.
DeLuca reported to Camelback Ranch for the bulk of his recovery process before joining Oklahoma City on August 24 for the start of a rehab assignment.
The 25-year-old went a combined 5-for-15 with two doubles, one triple, one home run and four RBI while on the rehab assignment. He’s poised to continue playing with Oklahoma City for at least the next 10 days unless needed to replace an injured player on the Dodgers’ active roster.
The Dodgers theoretically could have waited to activate DeLuca on Friday, when rosters expand for September. The team instead plans to add Kolten Wong, who was signed to a Minor League contract last month.
DeLuca joined the Dodgers on June 4 when Trayce Thompson was placed on the 10-day IL due to a left oblique strain. DeLuca made his MLB debut on June 4 and went on to bat 262/.311/.429 with one double, two home runs and six RBI over 24 games (10 starts) for the Dodgers.
Jonny DeLuca among 2023 Dodgers MLB debuts
DeLuca is among seven Dodgers Minor Leaguers to make their MLB debut during the 2023 season.
The group consists of Michael Busch (April 25), Gavin Stone (May 3), Bobby Miller (May 23), DeLuca (June 7), Nick Robertson (June 7), Emmet Sheehan (June 16) and Bryan Hudson (June 17).
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