The Los Angeles Dodgers selected the contract of Kyle Hurt and optioned Victor González to Triple-A Oklahoma City prior to Tuesday’s game against the San Diego Padres.
Gus Varland was transferred to the 60-day injured list in order to make room for Hurt on the Dodgers’ 40-man roster. That ends Varland’s season, which began with the Milwaukee Brewers as a Rule 5 Draft pick before he was returned to the Dodgers organization upon getting designated for assignment.
“The Brewers picked me and gave me a good opportunity,” Varland said last month. “Made the team, had fun up there, did well, learned a lot of things and went back to Triple-A after I got sent back and worked on things I knew I needed to work and had some success to get an opportunity here.
“I wasn’t too mad about it. I mean, that’s just part of the game. I had no options and they’re in first place. That’s just the way she goes. And when I got to go back to Triple-A with all my friends on the Dodgers, I was on a win-win no matter what. So I just went at it with everything I had and I have no regrets.”
The Dodgers placed Varland on the 15-day IL on Sunday due to right knee inflammation. He went 1-1 with a 3.09 ERA, 1.71 WHIP and 14 strikeouts in 11.2 innings across eight relief appearances.
Including time with the Brewers, Varland finished 1-1 with a 6.64 ERA and 2.11 WHIP over 16 games. Varland’s final time on the mound ended with a wild pitch that gave the Washington Nationals a walk-off win in extra innings.
González was sent back to the Minors one month after getting recalled as the corresponding move to Yency Almonte going on the IL with an MCL sprain in his right knee.
González is 2-3 with a 4.13 ERA and 1.13 WHIP in 33 games (one start) over three separate stints up with the Dodgers this season.
Kyle Hurt providing cover for Dodgers bullpen
While Hurt impressed as a starter with Double-A Tulsa, he was primarily utilized as a relief pitcher in Oklahoma City and is expected to fill that role with the Dodgers.
Furthermore, manager Dave Roberts said Hurt is up with the team to provide coverage for an overworked bullpen, not to audition for a potential postseason role.
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