The Los Angeles Dodgers reinstated Michael Grove from the 15-day injured list and optioned Justin Bruihl to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Saturday.
Grove had been sidelined since April 21 because of a right groin strain. His injury resulted in the Dodgers bringing Tony Gonsolin back after just one rehab start for Oklahoma City.
Grove spent multiple weeks at Camelback Ranch before beginning a rehab assignment with OKC late last month. He allowed just two runs and collected 14 strikeouts against one walk in two outings prior to being activated.
The right-hander pitched 5.2 innings scoreless innings in his final rehab start on May 27. Grove has been with the Dodgers since the start of their homestand as they mulled a decision.
Grove returns to the Dodgers starting rotation in place of Gavin Stone, who was optioned earlier this week after struggling in his first opportunity at the Major League level.
Grove is 0-1 with an 8.44 ERA and 1.75 WHIP in four starts this season. However, nine of his 15 earned runs allowed came during a rough outing against the Arizona Diamondbacks on April 9. Grove is starting Saturday in the middle game of the series against the New York Yankees.
Dave Roberts praises Justin Bruihl
Bruihl is 1-0 with a 4.41 ERA and 1.29 WHIP in 14 games for the Dodgers this season. His inflated ERA is due to back-to-back appearances of allowing two runs and three runs. Bruihl otherwise has allowed more than two runs in only one other of his appearances.
Bruihl has now been optioned three times this season. The Dodgers can only do so twice more this year as part of MLB roster rules capping Minor League options at five per season.
“Can’t say enough about him, how he’s handled the elevator and not let it affect performance,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts recently said. “I think there’s life to the ball now, there’s a confidence there, there’s an edginess. We’re lucky to have him. Very lucky to have him.”
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