The Los Angeles Dodgers optioned J.P. Feyereisen, Gus Varland and Landon Knack to Triple-A Oklahoma City Baseball Club on Friday. The team has yet to formally announce the roster moves, which were noted on the Dodgers’ transactions log.
Each of the right-handers earned a spot in the bullpen as part of the Dodgers Opening Day roster for the Seoul Series. Some of that was circumstantial as Blake Treinen began the season on the 15-day injured list because of a bruised lung, and so did Brusdar Graterol due to right shoulder inflammation.
The Dodgers also were in position to carry extra relief pitchers on their 13-man staff because of only needing Tyler Glasnow and Yoshinobu Yamamoto to start the two games against the San Diego Padres.
None of Knack, Feyereisen or Varland appeared in the team’s win on Opening Day.
Feyereisen pitched in their loss on Thursday, allowing three runs — all of which came on a home run by Manny Machado — over just one inning of work.
Feyereisen’s high pitch count and inability to end the top of the ninth inning prompted Dodgers manager Dave Roberts to turn to Varland for the third out. Prior to making his official Dodgers debut, Feyereisen struck out both batters faced to finish out an exhibition game win against the Korean National Team.
Varland’s only time pitching while the Dodgers were in South Korea, including exhibitions, was his aforementioned appearance in the ninth inning of their loss to the Padres.
Knack did not pitch in any of the Dodgers’ four games in Korea. He was a regular participant during this year’s Dodgers Love L.A. Community Tour, and president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman told DodgerBlue.com the anticipation is for Knack to make his MLB debut at some point during the 2024 season.
Projected Dodgers bullpen
With their latest roster moves, the Dodgers bullpen when the domestic portion of their 2024 schedule begins with the Dodger Stadium opener is projected to consist of Ryan Brasier, Michael Grove, Daniel Hudson, Kyle Hurt, Joe Kelly, Evan Phillips, Alex Vesia and Ryan Yarbrough.
Although Hurt is currently filling a bullpen role, he is viewed by the organization as one of the top Dodgers starting pitching prospects.
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