Los Angeles Dodgers selected the contract of Reyes Moronta and optioned Zach McKinstry to Triple-A Oklahoma City prior to first pitch of Sunday’s game against the San Diego Padres. However, McKinstry was immediately recalled as a corresponding move to David Price being put on the IL.
Darien Núñez was designated for assignment in order to make room for Moronta on the Dodgers’ 40-man roster. Núñez went 1-0 with a 7.71 ERA in three games for Oklahoma City this season.
OKC placed him on the seven-day IL on April 14, and he’s now due to undergo season-ending Tommy John surgery. Núñez, who was signed out of Cuba in 2018, made his MLB debut with the Dodgers last season.
Price allowed one run in 4.2 innings with five strikeouts over his five appearances so far this season. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts revealed after Sunday’s game that Price went on MLB’s COVID-IL due to testing positive.
Moronta was among the several players the Dodgers signed to a Minor League contract with a non-roster invite to Spring Training. He allowed three runs on three hits (two home runs) over 3.1 innings pitched across four Cactus League appearances.
Moronta was 1-0 with a 1.50 ERA and 1.67 WHIP over six relief appearances for Oklahoma City this year.
He missed all of the 2020 season while recovering from labrum surgery in his right shoulder. Moronta was part of the San Francisco Giants bullpen for Opening Day of the 2021 campaign, but only managed to appear in four games before going on the 10-day IL due to a right elbow flexor strain.
Moronta resumed throwing near the end of April but began to experience right forearm stiffness roughly one week later. He was diagnosed with a mild sprained ligament that wound up sidelining him into August.
Moronta then didn’t appear in any games for the Giants upon being activated off the 60-day IL and was sent outright to the Minors after being designated for assignment and clearing waivers. He went 8-9 with a 2.65 ERA and 1.17 WHIP in 136 games over parts of four seasons with the Giants.
The 29-year-old has two Minor League option years remaining, but theoretically could be a candidate to get designated for assignment if the Dodgers need to free up a spot on their 40-man roster.
McKinstry earned PCL honors
Prior to getting recalled as the corresponding move to Andrew Heaney going on the 10-day IL, McKinstry earned Pacific Coast League Player of the Week honors for games played April 5-10.
McKinstry hasn’t appeared in a game since first joining the Dodgers last week.
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!
