A flurry of roster moves earlier this week, which included placing Clayton Kershaw and Brandon McCarthy on the 10-day disabled list, left the Los Angeles Dodgers with a nine-man bullpen and an even shorter bench.
Considering they were already playing with a four-man bench, it placed further strain on manager Dave Roberts and his in-game decision-making. The Dodgers nonetheless went on to complete a three-game sweep of the Minnesota Twins.
Roberts intimated the team would make a roster move ahead of their series against the San Francisco Giants to get back to a four-man bench.
According to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, the Dodgers are promoting Kyle Farmer from Triple-A Oklahoma City:
Source: #Dodgers promoting C Kyle Farmer. Accompanying move not known. Team currently carrying 14 pitchers, 11 hitters – a short bench.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 28, 2017
Farmer was added to the 40-man roster last November to protect against potentially losing him in the 2016 Rule 5 Draft. Thus, only a corresponding move on the active roster is needed to make the call-up official.
The Dodgers can easily accomplish that by either placing a player on the disabled list or optioning someone — perhaps a relief pitcher — to the Minors. Farmer began the season with Double-A Tulsa and joined Oklahoma City in late May.
He’s batting a combined .326/.384/.488 with 20 doubles, nine home runs and 47 RBI. A natural catcher, he’s also made starts at first base, second base, third base and shortstop for Oklahoma City this season. Farmer has yet to reach the Majors in his professional career.
Farmer’s forthcoming arrival not only gives the Dodgers another versatile position player, but it also creates a situation where Austin Barnes can be used in a multitude of ways as opposed to being limited to a backup catcher role.
Barnes is batting .301/.407/.545 with eight doubles, six home runs and 23 RBI in 55 games this season. He’s spent some time at second and third base.
