The superteam Dodgers continue to draw ire for their largesse, including adding Tarik Skubal to their already deep rotation. But perhaps as an olive branch, they sometimes show their frailty as well. Dalton Rushing’s arm irritation that got him scratched from Sunday’s start is now right elbow inflammation that landed the catcher on the injured list.
Emmet Sheehan was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City after allowing three home runs and five runs in his 2 2/3 innings in Sunday’s loss to the Boston
Red Sox. Sheehan on the season in his 20 starts has a 5.29 ERA, which ranks 96th among the 105 major league pitchers with at least 90 innings, despite a 3.96 xERA that ranks 45th.
“Everyone knows what we think of him. I mean, the talent is there, the care, the preparedness, all that stuff is there,” manager Dave Roberts said after Sunday’s loss. “But it’s just, when you’re pitching in the big leagues, you’ve got to get guys out.”
With Sheehan optioned, that means Eric Lauer remains in the rotation for now after originally appearing headed for relief work or even a possible trade. Lauer will start Wednesday in Chicago, Roberts told reporters at Wrigley Field on Monday, per Fabian Ardaya at The Athletic.
The Dodgers earlier Monday acquired old friend Ben Rortvedt to help with their catching depth, then also traded for another old friend in Hunter Feduccia from the Rays. But with Rushing out they also needed another active catcher today, which is why Chuckie Robinson is back, selected to the roster ahead of the team’s series opener at Wrigley Field.
Eliezer Alfonso starts at catcher on Monday against the Cubs, as he did on Sunday against the Red Sox.
Also back is Jonathan Hernández, who had 12 mostly low-leverage appearances for the Dodgers earlier this season. He posted an 8.15 ERA with 15 strikeouts and 12 walks in 17 2/3 innings before getting designated for assignment on June 30, and was sent outright to Triple-A on July 2.
In seven games with Oklahoma City the 29-year-old Hernández had a 6.14 ERA with nine walks and six strikeouts in 7 1/3 innings.
The Dodgers already had an open spot on the roster after Cole Irvin was designated for assignment on Saturday. They opened another spot by acquiring Kris Bubic — who is on the 60-day injured list — from the Kansas City Royals for Carlos Durán earlier Monday. Feduccia took up one of those 40-man roster spots when his trade was finalized.
To add both Robinson and Hernández, the Dodgers had to clear one more 40-man spot, and Wyatt Mills was designated for assignment after throwing 53 pitches in his two innings on Sunday night. Mills appeared in six games for the Dodgers this season, and allowed five runs (four earned) on five hits, nine walks, and two hit batters, with five strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings.
Tarik Skubal, who will start on Tuesday, was added to the active roster, taking Mills’ spot there.
