The Los Angeles Dodgers recalled Mike Freeman from Triple-A Oklahoma City prior to Sunday’s series finale against the Colorado Rockies and placed Franklin Gutierrez on the 10-day disabled list with an episode of ankylosis spondylitis.
The stint on the disabled list marks the second of the season for Gutierrez, who missed time in April due to a hamstring strain. Gutierrez’s gastrointestinal issue has been something he and Dodgers manager Dave Roberts have managed and monitored on a daily basis.
Roberts recently said there are some days where Gutierrez simply is unable to play. He was removed from the May 28 game after just one inning because Roberts sensed Gutierrez didn’t have the necessary physical strength to continue playing.
In 35 games this season, Gutierrez is batting .232/.317/.339 with three doubles, one home run and eight RBI.
The Dodgers claimed Freeman off waivers from the Seattle Mariners in May, and immediately optioned him to Oklahoma City. Freeman went 2-for-30 with three runs and one home run over 16 games with the Mariners this season.
He played three games (two starts) at first base, three games (two starts) at second base, and made two starts at third base. Freeman was also called upon to pitch on May 20 against the Chicago White Sox, allowing one run on three hits in one inning of work.
His only other MLB experience came last season with Seattle (16 games) and the Arizona Diamondbacks (eight). Over 37 career games in the Majors, Freeman is a lifetime .135/.224/.212 hitter, with two RBI.
In 15 games this year with Triple-A Tacoma, the versatile infielder hit .356/.424/.492 with three doubles, one triple, one home run and nine RBI. Freeman batted .295/.338/.361 with two doubles, one triple and four RBI over 20 games with Oklahoma City.
