Two games after watching Pedro Baez take a line drive off his knee, the Los Angeles Dodgers placed Joe Kelly on the bereavement list. Kelly’s absence and uncertainty surrounding Baez’s availability left the Dodgers short in the bullpen.
Baez was scheduled to throw off a mound before first pitch of the series opener at PNC Park, and it would then be determined if the right-hander could be used in the game. Baez ultimately wasn’t needed as the Dodgers jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the first inning and cruised to a 10-2 victory.
Although Kelly was due to miss at least three days and up to a maximum of seven, and with Baez possibly unavailable, the Dodgers recalled Kyle Garlick from Triple-A Oklahoma City.
In theory, that left the Dodgers with a seven-man bullpen and five-man bench. Manager Dave Roberts attributed the roster move to having versatility in Ross Stripling and Julio Urias, via SportsNet LA:
“I think that with Julio, with Ross, we have depth now. So to have that extra bat, I think that Garlick’s been playing really well, and to get him up here for a few days, I think just adds to that position-player depth.”
Garlick first joined the Dodgers last week when Kenta Maeda was placed on the 10-day injured list due to a left adductor contusion. It marked Garlick’s first time joining an MLB active roster.
He was with the Dodgers for three games prior to returning to Oklahoma City when Urias was reinstated from administrative leave. Garlick made his MLB debut last weekend with a pinch-hit appearance against the Cincinnati Reds.
The Cal Poly Pomona product pinch-hit in the eighth inning on Friday and remained in the game to play two innings in right field. Garlick has hit .280/.375/.627 with nine doubles, one triple, 10 home runs and 20 RBI through 35 games with Oklahoma City thus far in 2019.
Garlick’s time with the Dodgers may again be limited to three games, as Kelly is due to return Monday when the team begins a seven-game homestand.
