Jack Dreyer is back in the Dodgers bullpen for Sunday’s series finale against the Philadelphia Phillies, activated off the injured list on his first day eligible to return.
Dreyer was placed on the 15-day injured list on May 17 with shoulder discomfort, a move that was backdated one day, as he last pitched on May 15. The left-hander faced hitters in a simulated inning on the mound before Friday’s game at Dodger Stadium, the final step for Dreyer to return.
“I got to put eyes on Jack, I think he threw
around 20-25 pitches. It came out good, he used his whole pitch mix, got a couple of grounders and a strikeout,” manager Dave Roberts said on Friday. “I do know that on the 16th day he’s hoping to be active, so we should be in a good spot.”
That came to fruition on the 16th day, and the Dodgers bullpen got one of its stalwarts back in Dreyer, who last season as a rookie was one of only two Dodgers pitchers to remain on the active roster for the entire regular season and postseason. At the time when Dreyer was placed on the injured list this year, he led all Dodgers relievers in appearances (20, tied with Tanner Scott) and innings pitched (21 2/3) with an effective 2.08 ERA, 2.74 xERA, and 24 strikeouts against only six walks.
To make room for Dreyer, right-hander Paul Gervase was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City. Gervase was recalled on May 17 when Dreyer was placed on the injured list, and in his second stint in the majors this season, Gervase pitched once in his 12 games active, tossing two scoreless innings on May 22 against the Brewers in Milwaukee.
