Editorials

Dodgers Activate Chris Hatcher From 60-Day DL; Juan Nicasio Placed On DL

Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

The Los Angeles Dodgers activated Chris Hatcher from the 60-day disabled list Friday, which was the first day the right-handed reliever was eligible to be reinstated. Carlos Frias was transferred to the 60-day DL and Juan Nicasio was placed on the 15-day DL with a left abdominal strain to get Hatcher on the 40-man, then active roster.

Nicasio has been among the more consistent bright spots for the Dodgers out of the bullpen. He ranks third on the team in both appearances (38) and strikeouts (51). Nicasio has thrown a total of 47 innings, posting a 3.06 ERA, 2.64 FIP and 1.30 WHIP.



His 21 percent hard contact rate is best among Dodgers relievers and Nicasio also started a bullpen game this season. He last appeared out of the bullpen Aug. 9, striking out two in one scoreless inning of work against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The DL moves essentially puts Nicasio on track to be reinstated when active rosters expand in September. Frias helped stabilize the Dodgers’ rotation, but more recently has been unable to overcome lower back tightness.

Frias suffered a setback in his rehab assignment with OKC and was subsequently placed back on the 15-day DL. He’s 5-5 with a 4.39 ERA in 14 appearances, with 12 starts.

Meanwhile, Hatcher returns from an oblique injury that originally was said not to require much of a recovery period. He was placed on the 15-day DL June 15, then transferred to the 60-day DL July 30 as a paper move to create room on the active roster for the players acquired in trades with the Atlanta Braves and Miami Marlins.

With Kenley Jansen recovering from offseason foot surgery, Hatcher received the first opportunity to convert a save opportunity in Jansen’s absence. He closed out the Dodgers’ win on Opening Day, then struggled in the following trips out of the bullpen.

On the season Hatcher is 1-4, has a 6.38 ERA, 3.22 FIP, 1.59 WHIP and 19 strikeouts over 27 games (18.1 innings), including two saves, seven holds and two blown saves. He made eight combined rehab appearances (7.1 innings) with High-A Rancho Cucamonga and Triple-A Oklahoma City, finishing with a 7.36 ERA and opponents batting .300/.344/.400.

Hatcher last pitched for the Dodgers on June 14 against the San Diego Padres, throwing two-thirds of an inning and collecting one strikeout. The appearance was a third consecutive scoreless outing for Hatcher.

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Mat Latos Aware Of Necessary Changes

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