For the third consecutive game, the Dodgers have added a new arm to the bullpen, calling up Paul Gervase from Triple-A Oklahoma City with Emmet Sheehan optioned back to Triple-A, ahead of a weekend series against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday night at Dodger Stadium.
This move comes after an off day Thursday that gave Dodgers pitchers actual rest, after using 17 different pitchers during a stretch of 13 game days in a row that ended Wednesday.
Alex Vesia and Jack Dreyer each pitched seven times
in the 13 days, including three times in the four-day span from Sunday to Wednesday. Tanner Scott also pitched seven times, including saves in each of the last two days in Denver. Edgardo Henriquez and Evan Phillips each pitched six times over the 13 days.
Enter Gervase, who pitched only twice in the previous 11 days for Oklahoma City, including seven pitches to get two outs on Wednesday.
In three stints with the Dodgers this season, Gervase allowed two runs in 7 2/3 innings over his four appearances, with eight strikeouts and five walks. For Oklahoma city this year, the 26-year-old right-hander has a 4.86 ERA with 46 strikeouts and 31 walks in 37 innings in his 31 games, including three saves.
Sheehan was called up on Tuesday for bullpen coverage but did not pitch in the two games he was active. Sheehan last pitched nine days ago, with eight strikeouts in 5 2/3 scoreless innings for Oklahoma City.
