The Los Angeles Dodgers optioned Justin Bruihl in order to get their active roster back down to 26 players after having an additional spot for Saturday’s doubleheader against the Chicago Cubs. This is Bruihl’s first of a maximum five Minor League options that now govern roster rules.
The Dodgers selected the contract of Robbie Erlin as the 27th player, though he did not appear in either of the two games. A 40-man roster move was not required to add Erlin as the Dodgers currently have space because David Price and Mitch White are on the COVID-19 injured list.
Bruihl made his MLB debut last year and was included on the 2022 Dodgers Opening Day roster. He was among the team’s five left-handed relief pitchers.
That group has changed a bit with Tyler Anderson needing to fill in for Andrew Heaney in the starting rotation, Price currently being unavailable, and Garrett Cleavinger getting optioned at the beginning of the month when Tommy Kahnle was activated off the 10-day injured list.
Bruihl has allowed three runs and collected six strikeouts in eight innings pitched across eight relief appearances for the Dodgers this season. He went 0-1 with a 2.89 ERA in 21 games (two starts) with L.A. last year, and drew a walk in his only plate appearance to finish with a 1.000 on-base percentage that went into the record books due to the National League adopting the designated hitter.
When Bruihl made his MLB debut last August, it amounted to a Dodgers franchise record as he became the 32nd pitcher used by the team that season.
The Dodgers signed Bruihl in July 2017 as an undrafted free agent.
Erlin remaining with Dodgers
By sending Bruihl to OKC, Erlin is remaining on the active roster for at least another game. The Dodgers signed Erlin to a Minor League contract during the offseason.
He has pitched at the Major League level over parts of seven seasons, with the most recent action coming in 2020 with the Atlanta Braves when Erlin posted an 8.49 ERA, 6.75 FIP and 1.46 WHIP over 23.1 innings (seven games, five starts).
Erlin threw three scoreless innings in his only Cactus League appearance during Spring Training this year. He’s 2-1 with a 5.82 ERA and 1.62 WHIP over five games (three starts) with Oklahoma City this season.
Erlin last pitched for OKC on April 30 in what was his best showing so far in 2022, as he allowed just two hits and collected eight strikeouts over five scoreless innings out of the bullpen.
Due to being out of Minor League options, the Dodgers would need to designate Erlin for assignment if wishing to remove him from their active roster.
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