The Dodgers made a number of expected roster moves this evening, namely placing Max Muncy on paternity leave and recalling right-hander Brusdar Graterol to take his roster spot, per Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times (via Twitter).
Muncy shouldn’t be away for overlong, which is a good thing given the monster season he’s having thus far. The All-Star has posted 4.7 rWAR with a triple slash line of .273/.413/.565 over 351 plate appearances. He continues to be, if not the most recognizable Dodger star, one of their most efficient performers.
As for Graterol, things have not gone as smoothly since joining the Dodgers as part of the Mookie Betts’ deal. He was reportedly out of shape upon arriving to spring training, and he has yet to contribute much in the way of positive value this season. Still, with the Dodgers looking outside the organization for bullpen help, the 22-year-old former top prospect might represent the best hope for internal improvement.
Otherwise, southpaw Darien Nunez was also recalled, while Garrett Cleavinger was optioned to Triple-A. Nunez has been solid in Triple-A, posting a 2.70 ERA through 16 appearances covering 30 innings. He has four outings with the big-league club, tossing six innings and giving up four earned runs on five hits, including two long balls.
Cleavinger, meanwhile, has been a big part of manager Dave Roberts’ bullpen. The 27-year-old swingman has made 20 appearances (including one start) and tossed 17 innings with an impressive 2.12 ERA. He hasn’t been used that much of late, however, with just one total inning dating back to July 11th. Heading back to Triple-A for a spell should give him the opportunity to get some work in.
Max Muncy needs to name his kid Max Muncy Jr. So when he gets drafted, everyone will think he is the son of former A’s draft pick Max Muncy, but in reality he will be the son of former A’s draft pick Max Muncy.
Who’s on first
The Who
Beautiful!!
I have a headache.
The Max Muncy’s share a birthday too.
If only Muncy’s wife went into labor four days earlier so the Giants pitching staff wouldn’t have to labor through those AB’s… dude’s been trying to the next Giants killer on par with Arenado and Goldschmidt
Trying?
I didn’t even know Muncy was pregnant.
I’m a fan of this Nunez kid. I was at his debut against the DBacks and if not for a defensive error by Turner, I’m sure he would’ve gone scoreless for 2 IP (the error led to a 2-run Homer later). He was throwing 95 on a sinker then a 75 change and it was great watching batters LUNGE.
Graterol was not apart of the Mookie Betts deal, as this post says. He was in the Maeda trade.
I believe he was originally headed to Boston, but they objected based on medical records. And then the Dodgers ended up taking him.
But they ended up being two separate trades. It was Verdugo and company for betts price and then a different trade Maeda for Brusdar (and?).
Raley.
Ewww raley
Does anyone remember the good old days, when the Boston press was ripping the team for not acquiring Graterol? As well as a lot of commentators in here.
I membees
If Jeter Downs ever becomes a thing RSox fans will get to celebrate how he “fell off a truck” into their loving arms as well .
* Boston Globe takes a bow
The guy is 22 out of shape and still able to throw an easy 100. His breaking pitches are above average. His problem is control. If he learns that he will be a great piece in the Dodger bullpen for years.
Graterol’s problem is that his delivery is lacking any deception. It looks easy, but it’s fairly easy to hit as well. You can’t get by on velocity alone in MLB, and Graterol’s delivery does not really hide the ball from the hitter.
This is very true, plus he doesn’t know how to control the count yet making it easy for hitters to sit on pitches
Mutts choke another one away to Colo with Gratanroll and G’s castoff Sherthang blowing it. Well done, Rocks.
They had bases loaded no one out in the 9th, with a pitcher who could barely throw strikes and couldn’t put a single ball in the air
One fly ball, game is over. Instead? 3Ks. They earned the L today
Terrible indeed – Bard went against his own scouting report and kept his slider up so he wouldn’t bounce it – Some pretty bad hangers but Dodgers were too damn locked on that scouting report causing some brutal hacks ~
Was at the game last night. Threw so many sliders but from my view couldn’t see location but yeah no bounced sliders. That’s what I was hoping for when Neuse and Pollock were up there.. Crowd was amped up in the 9th and the air completely out when they failed to score another run after loading the base and tying it up. Surprised Smith was not able to put it in play. Figured Neuse had a good chance of striking out.
I was disappointed that Roberts pulled Graterol to go lefty vs lefty with Nunez. Yeah some Monday morning QBing but then Nunez gives up the run scoring single in the 8th and then the HR in the 9th. I would have stuck with Graterol for one more batter. Graterol was throwing heat but it is surprising that he doesn’t get as many Ks with that 100+ heat and wicked slider. Something that he’ll need to work on.
I think McKinstry needs to clean up his defense. Some sloppy work at 2B on the bobble. It was ruled a hit but clearly if he doesn’t bobble it he gets the runner at 1B. Similar play earlier in the week where he dropped a routine bouncer at 2B. There was also a play at the corner in LF where he didn’t make a play I couldn’t see from my angle but seemed like he either failed to cut off the ball or he botched something. Then in a subsequent play in the 10th, runner on 2nd with no outs and a clean single single to LF with a speedy runner at 2B he chucks the ball home instead of throwing it to second allowing the batter t get to 2B. These are fundamental plays that a MLB player should not be having issues with. It’s great he can play multiple positions but right now together with his struggles at the plate it’s better to have him sit when the regulars get back.
McKinstry is no doubt a friggin disaster in the field ….just terrible …so bad if he doesn’t clean it up I don’t see a future for him in the MLB –
Being able to play 7 positions bad isn’t a boon I agree
I cringe every time the ball gets hit to Billy McKinney he looks lost in RF.
Does anyone know if the dodgers are paying Trevor Bauer while he’s ineligible to play?
I’m just curious as to the effect on the dodgers salary cap.
I believe he still gets paid while he’s on administrative leave.
Graterol has a good year last year and was very effective in the postseason. This article makes it sound like he’s done nothing.