Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Josh Ravin had a rough 2016, beginning in Spring Training when he suffered from strep throat, then sustained a fractured left forearm in a March car accident. Surgery was required and Ravin opened the season on the 15-day disabled list.
His recovery was said to be eight to 12 weeks. However, in early May, Ravin was suspended 80 games without pay after testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug which violated Major League Baseball’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.
That delayed the right-hander’s return to August when the Dodgers reinstated Ravin from the restricted list on the first day he was eligible to be activated.
Prior to that point, Ravin had appeared in four games with the Arizona League Dodgers. He allowed two runs (one earned), had 11 strikeouts and held opponents to a .105/.105/.263 batting line.
With Triple-A Oklahoma City, Ravin threw four scoreless innings, had seven strikeouts and allowed one hit over two relief appearances. He was called up by the Dodgers and made his season debut on Aug. 8.
In 10 games with the big league club, the 28-year-old threw 9.2 innings, allowing up two hits and one run while striking out 13 and walking four.
Ravin pitched well enough to garner a spot on the Dodgers postseason rosters, but was ineligible due to the PED suspension.
2016 Highlight
When Ravin made his first appearance with the Dodgers against the Philadelphia Phillies it marked the end of a rocky journey. He entered in the ninth inning with the Dodgers leading, 9-4, and gave up just one hit while striking out two.
2017 Outlook
Ravin showed improved command from the 2015 season, which should bode well moving forward. His electric fastball could give the Dodgers bullpen an added element next season, regardless of what unfolds in free agency with Kenley Jansen.
