Phil Bickford was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City as part of the 2022 Los Angeles Dodgers Opening Day roster being finalized. As manager Dave Roberts indicated, the Dodgers elected begin the season with 16 pitchers and 12 position players on their active roster.
Although Bickford was a revelation for the Dodgers last season after being claimed off waivers from the Milwaukee Brewers, he was among the pitchers ruled out for the Opening Day roster. The right-hander dealt with arm soreness prior to Spring Training beginning and thus fell behind in camp.
Bickford didn’t appear in a Cactus League game until facing the San Francisco Giants on April 2, in what was the Dodgers’ final matchup in Arizona. He struck out two batters and retired the side in order.
Bickford followed that three days later by throwing another scoreless inning in the finale of the exhibition Freeway Series.
“Phil is doing well. I think for him it’s just Spring Training, he wasn’t where other guys were when it started,” Roberts said earlier this week. “In a normal Spring Training, that buildup would’ve been fine, but where he was at, I just think we ran out of time.”
Although Bickford struggled with Oklahoma City after first joining the Dodgers organization last year, he impressed after getting recalled on May 23. Bickford didn’t allow an earned run in his first eight appearances and after one poor outing in June, went another eight games without allowing an earned run.
Bickford’s success continued into the postseason as he threw six scoreless innings, allowing only four hits and collecting four strikeouts against one walk.
2022 Dodgers Opening Day roster
Starting pitchers (5): Walker Buehler, Tony Gonsolin, Andrew Heaney, Clayton Kershaw, Julio Urias
Relief pitchers (11): Tyler Anderson, Justin Bruihl, Garrett Cleavinger, Brusdar Graterol, Daniel Hudson, Craig Kimbrel, Evan Phillips, David Price, Blake Treinen, Alex Vesia, Mitch White
Catchers (2): Austin Barnes, Will Smith
Infielders (6): Hanser Alberto, Freddie Freeman, Max Muncy, Edwin Rios, Justin Turner, Trea Turner
Outfielders (2): Mookie Betts, Cody Bellinger
Infielders/Outfielders (2): Gavin Lux, Chris Taylor
Restricted list (1): Trevor Bauer
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