Brandon Beachy Makes Fourth Start; Carl Crawford Scratched
When the Los Angeles Dodgers signed Brandon Beachy, who was recovering from Tommy John surgery and not expected to pitch until after the All Star break, the front office’s intentions were not clear as the Dodgers had one of the better pitching staffs in baseball. However, as the break approached and the Dodgers lost more starting pitchers to injuries, the signing made more sense.
Beachy, who has not pitched since 2013, made his fourth rehab appearance on Wednesday with the Triple-A Oklahoma City Dodgers and allowed just one run in five innings while throwing 80 pitches. He also issued three walks and gave up six hits for a solid first outing.
It was his third start with OKC and fourth start overall in the minors. Overall, he’s allowed just two runs in 12.2 innings. The right-hander has had an injury-ridden four seasons in the MLB and has played in just 46 games since 2010. While posting an ERA of 3.23, he carries a record of 14-11.
With the Dodgers starting staff just a shell of what it was thought to be in the beginning of the season, Beachy could fit in quite well for the Dodgers in the second half of the season. He could take over for Carlos Frias or Mike Bolsinger in the starting rotation.
Carl Crawford, who had an injured oblique muscle, made his second rehab start with Single-A Rancho Cucamonga. As the designated hitter, Crawford tripled in his first at-bat, but was pinch run for in the third inning after being hit in his second plate appearance. The outfielder will be held out of the next game, but not due to injury, according to Steve Granado of the Quakes:
#Dodgers Carl Crawford will not play today. Doesn't involve HBP in second rehab game last night. Out with flu like symptoms today.
— Steve Granado (@SteveGranado) July 2, 2015
While it’s not an injury, it’s another small setback in what has been a two month recovery from his oblique injury. Assuming he is better, Crawford could continue his rehab on Friday.
Once Crawford is ready, he may return to a role off the bench as manager Don Mattingly said that Andre Ethier has earned the spot in left field. Either way, he will give the Dodgers another outfielder to add to the mix.
