The Los Angeles Dodgers optioned Justin Wrobleski to Triple-A Oklahoma City in order to add Jack Flaherty to their active roster.
Flaherty was acquired Tuesday in a trade that sent Dodgers prospects Thayron Liranzo and Trey Sweeney to the Detroit Tigers. Acquiring the right-hander for midtier Minor Leaguers came as a surprise, given how the market had taken shape for pitchers.
However, some of that may be tied to Flaherty missing two starts this season because of lower back trouble that was treated with multiple injections. Tigers president of baseball operations Scott Harris asserted Flaherty is healthy and would’ve started for the team on Thursday if not traded.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was not specifically asked about Flaherty’s health on Tuesday, but offered a vote of confidence as well.
“I’m excited to get Jack. I’ve met him a couple times and to get a player who’s having a huge year, seems like he’s healthy and thriving, this is a place I know he’s excited about being,” Roberts said.
Flaherty went 7-5 with a 2.95 ERA, 3.10 FIP and 0.96 WHIP in 18 starts for the Tigers this season. He additionally had a 32% strikeout rate that is on track to be the best mark of his career.
Flaherty has changed his jersey number from 9 to 0. He’s the first Dodgers player to wear No. 0 since Al Oliver in 1985. Flaherty is expected to make his Dodgers debut at some point during this weekend’s series against the Oakland Athletics.
Dodgers option Justin Wrobleski
After establishing himself as a fast-rising prospect in the Dodgers farm system, Wrobleski impressed upon being thrust into the rotation.
Wrobleski went 0-1 with a 4.05 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 15 strikeouts in 20 innings pitched across four starts. Wrobleski completed at least five innings in three of his outings.
He was one of three rookies in the Dodgers rotation and seemingly got optioned instead of River Ryan due to his spot in the rotation coming up sooner, that now presumably will be filled by Flaherty.
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