In addition to adding Albert Pujols and Yoshitomo Tsutsugo to their active roster, the Los Angeles Dodgers activated David Price off the 10-day injured list before Monday’s series opener against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Mitch White was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City in order to reinstate Price. Keibert Ruiz and Alex Vesia were also sent to OKC as the corresponding moves to adding Pujols and Tsutsugo.
“I think the guys in the ‘pen couldn’t be happier to have one of the elder statesmen back in the ‘pen,” manager Dave Roberts said.” Price returns three weeks after suffering a Grade 2 right hamstring strain — the first of his career.
“Hamstring feels completely normal. I feel like it has progressed very well from the day that it happened,” Price said last Friday. “We did a lot of treatment on it, continued to keep my arm moving. I think that was the biggest thing for myself, being able to continue to play catch.
“That was good to not let my arm kind of regress. Hamstring feels good, I feel good. I’m excited to get back out there.”
Price threw roughly 30 pitches during live batting practice late last week in what wound up being the final hurdle. “I was going 100%. From talking to the doctors, they said that would be the biggest thing for me, getting back on the mound and throwing on that slope,” he said.
“I was able to do that four times, with the fourth time being [Friday], an up-down and facing hitters. My hamstring isn’t something I think about anymore. I can wake up, get out of bed and go about my day. It’s not something I think about when I’m playing catch, or running, or even in the weight room.”
White threw a perfect inning as part of the Dodgers’ bullpen game on Sunday. He’s pitched to a 1.17 ERA over six appearances this season.
Price found routine
Converting to a role out of the bullpen for the first time in his career meant needing to find a new routine. There were growing pains but the 35-year-old has found his footing.
“I definitely kind of developed my own routine in the bullpen. Just staying ready, identifying the situations I would be in,” Price said.
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