The Los Angeles Dodgers had several options to choose from after placing Freddie Freeman on the 10-day injured list with a right ankle sprain, and decided on recalling Hunter Feduccia from Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Feduccia joining the Dodgers roster gave them three catchers and meant the likes of top prospect Dalton Rushing, Hyeseong Kim, James Outman and David Bote remained in the Minors. Bote was recently in search of a Major League opportunity with a team and is on the restricted list with the Oklahoma City Comets.
According to Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group, manager Dave Roberts explained the Dodgers chose to recall Feduccia instead of Rushing or Kim due in part to a playing time issue:
“We just landed on Hunter because it just gives me a left-handed pinch-hit option,” Roberts said.
“With young prospects (like Rushing) … it’s not always of benefit when they’re used to playing every day and you want to keep them logging at-bats and innings. When their time has come, hopefully they can stick when he’s ready. But just a short snippet just didn’t seem to make sense.”
Also as Roberts noted, Feduccia is a left-handed option off the Dodgers’ bench. That would’ve applied to Rushing as well, but the Dodgers don’t see value in top prospects being added to the roster without a clear opportunity to make regular starts.
Roberts previously mentioned if — or when — Rushing earns a promotion for his first Major League action, it is expected to come at catcher rather than left field, which he started playing last season.
Outman’s chance might arrive if Andy Pages continues to struggle at the plate and make outs on the bases.
Meanwhile, Feduccia is up with the Dodgers for the first time this season. Feduccia made his MLB debut last year but only appeared in five games. He’s yet to play in the Dodgers’ series against the Philadelphia Phillies.
The Dodgers are hopeful to activate Freeman once he’s eligible next week, which would mark a brief stay for Feduccia.
Hunter Feduccia receives World Series ring
By joining the Dodgers roster this week, Feduccia was presented with his World Series ring during the road trip.
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