Dodgers News: Dodgers Make a Flurry of Roster Moves including the Return of Clayton Kershaw
As the calendar has changed to September, the Dodgers have made a flurry of moves as rosters are able to be expanded to a maximum of 40 players. The initial wave of roster additions brings six players to the roster that blend household names with three up-and-comers that will be making their debut in Blue.
Today, the Dodgers reinstated Clayton Kershaw from the 10-day DL and recalled Rob Segedin from Triple-A Oklahoma City.
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 1, 2017
Dodgers have also selected the contracts of Alex Verdugo and O’Koyea Dickson from OKC and reinstated Andre Ethier from the 60-day DL.
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 1, 2017
To create room on 40-man roster, Grant Dayton has been moved to 60-day DL, Brett Eibner and Luis Ysla have been designated for assignment.
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 1, 2017
- The biggest name to make his return is Clayton Kershaw. Last week Dave Roberts mentioned that Kershaw would be penciled in to make his return this weekend in San Diego, and after making a rehab start in Oklahoma City last Saturday, he is being activated in time to make the start tonight for the Dodgers.
- Andre Ethier will also be activated prior to tonight’s game although his availability will be limited as he is dealing with a minor “neck thing” according to Roberts. Ethier owns a career slash line of .285/.359/463 and is hoping to make a late season impact as he did last year when he missed most of the season but still earned a spot on the playoff roster.
Andre Ethier is dealing with slight neck issue & it has halted his rehab a bit. Will join team in SD as part of September call ups.
— AlaNNa Rizzo (@alannarizzo) August 30, 2017
- Rob Segedin has also been recalled after missing most of the season, initially with a strained big toe and then with a wrist injury. He has only collected 7 at bats this year after seeing time in 40 games in 2016.
- Alex Verdugo will make his anticipated debut tonight in Dodger Blue. The 21 year old is the Dodgers’ #2 ranked prospect and figures to see time in each of the three outfield positions as he auditions for a playoff roster spot. Read more about Verdugo’s rise in the the Dodgers prospect rankings here.
- The last call up in the first wave of players comes as a surprise to many. Okoyea Dickson will make his Dodgers’ debut after playing in over 730 minor league games and accumulating over 2,600 at bats. His career minor league slash line is .279/.349/.491. Although there are questions about where he would play defensively, his bat has never carried many questions and he will make for an intriguing right handed option off the bench.
- Updated** It was just announced that Fabio Castillo will also be added to the roster. Castillo owns a 4.04 era on the year, splitting time between Tulsa and Oklahoma City. He struck out 88 batters in 91.1 innings.
Fabio Castillo is en route to San Diego. Wilmer Font will be here tomorrow.
— Andy McCullough (@ByMcCullough) September 2, 2017
In order to make room on the 40-man roster for these moves, the Dodgers needed to create space for three players. In order to do that they performed the following moves:
- Grant Dayton was moved to the 60 day disabled list. Dayton had Tommy John surgery last week and will miss most if not all of the 2018 season.
- Brett Eibner was designated for assignment. Many remember Eibner who played 17 games for Los Angeles this year but he too is out for the rest of the year with Tommy John surgery after the Dodgers tried to convert him into a two-way player off the bench.
- Lastly, the Dodgers designated Luis Ysla for assignment. Ysla was acquired in late July as a move for minor league depth, but with a roster spot needed, he was the odd man out.
Dodgers’ fans should expect more roster moves soon when the second wave of players is called up. Walker Buehler, Wilmer Font, Joc Pederson, and Trayce Thompson are just some of the names expected to get the call. Brock Stewart will be recalled to make the start in the first game of the double header on Saturday.
