Brock Stewart took in his first home game as a Dodger on Friday. (Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers).
Chase Utley, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrián González, 1B
Trayce Thompson, CF
Howie Kendrick, LF
Yasiel Puig, RF
Yasmani Grandal, C
Brandon McCarthy, P
By Jon Weisman
Brandon McCarthy has officially been activated from the disabled list by the Dodgers, 14 months and three days after he had Tommy John surgery.
Brock Stewart, who struck out seven while allowing five runs over five innings in a spot start for Los Angeles on June 29, has been optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City.
In other business, the Dodgers outrighted minor-league pitcher Yaisel Sierra to clear a spot on the 40-man roster. Sierra, a right-hander from Cuba, has been pitching for Single-A Rancho Cucamonga.
Additionally, Layne Somsen has been outrighted, while Ian Thomas was released. Both pitchers had been designated for assignment.
McCarthy, as Craig Minami of True Blue L.A. notes, is the first Dodger starting pitcher to make another Dodger start after Tommy John surgery since Darren Dreifort.
The right-hander, who turns 33 on Thursday, spoke at length on Saturday about his comeback and how he let the Dodgers know he was ready.
McCarthy made news off the field over the weekend, donating £10,000 to support an effort sending a British 10-year-old to the United States for an experimental cancer treatment after he was diagnosed with leukemia for the third time.
best of luck to all of you. As a new parent I can't imagine what you're been through and I hope he gets the help he needs
— Brandon McCarthy (@BMcCarthy32) July 2, 2016
Earlier this morning, the Dodgers announced Julio Urias and Kenta Maeda as their starters for their first two games at 6:10 p.m. Monday and 7:10 p.m. Tuesday against the Orioles. Then, speaking with reporters, Dave Roberts said Wednesday’s 12:10 p.m. game would go to Bud Norris, who will take his second start as a Dodger on four days’ rest.
The unresolved question is whether Thursday will bring a potential return to the Dodger rotation for Hyun-Jin Ryu, who pitched six innings in his most recent rehab start July 1.
Roberts also emphasized to reporters that Stewart wasn’t being optioned because the Dodgers were unhappy with him, but because they needed the roster spot, adding that Stewart could still benefit from more work in the minors.
throwdeuce
Another baffling move (following bringing up Frias only to option him 2 days later, instead of just activating Puig when he was ready). Why didn’t they option Stewart on Friday when they announce McCarthy starting today and bring up another player they could have used the last 2 days. When they didn’t I was thinking they would either DFA Hatcher or Venable (again) for both 25 and 40 man spot. Now they probably DFA Figueroa as I can’t see anyone else going on 60 Day DL or being DFA
frednaz
If the rotation starting today is McCarthy, Urias, Maeda, Norris, Ryu, then I guess sending Stewart down makes sense. But if Ryu is not in that rotation, sending Stewart down does not make sense.
If Stewart gets a start in OK, maybe two, and then replaces Urias, then that makes sense, assuming Kershaw is not back yet.
I would have preferred to give Stewart one more start for LA before deciding what to do with him. To me, that makes the most sense.
throwdeuce
You’re forgetting Kazmir.
I’m not saying sending Stewart down is bad, just sending him down today instead of Friday, when the McCarthy decision was made, is. They could have had an extra reliever or bench player for Friday’s and yesterday’s games, then made another move today for McCarthy, like DFA Hatcher, he’s worthless at this point, even in garbage time.
Mark Hagerstrom
What’s your beef with Hatch? For May-June in 22 innings he put up ERA 3.27 and IRS% of 15 (NL average is 31%), and this includes the two poor games on the road trip.
throwdeuce
Just don’t think he’ll turn it around to be a useful piece, be happy to be wrong
Mark Hagerstrom
Hard to just give up on a guy like that. Granted, he has had his ups and down, but performed well recently and showed elite stuff in the not to distant past.
Brett Turner
The primary reason the bullpen has been doing as well as it has is because of the way it’s been managed. Hatcher hasn’t been put in, nor should he be put in high leverage situations in quite a while. Fans are letting him know, very vocally that they are fed up, and the way he is being managed shows no confidence either. I hoped for a turn-around, but being at the game on Saturday when he gave up that shot Arenado (Whom every one of our pitchers got out in this series) showed me that his time with us as an effective reliever is close to being over. I don’t mind seeing him go. After that shout, he did throw an angry 98 mph heater though. Hard and flat won’t help him, only pitch selection, placement, and MOVEMENT!
throwdeuce
Excellent summary of Hatcher.