The Los Angeles Dodgers bullpen underwent some shuffling during their seven-game homestand, with Dinelson Lamet joining the team from Triple-A Oklahoma City among the various roster moves.
Lamet had his contract selected on Monday as he took the place of Nabil Crismatt, who had just joined the team the day prior and pitched two scoreless innings. Lamet allowed an unearned run in his Dodgers debut in the series opener against the San Francisco Giants and was back on the mound Wednesday night in an unexpected role.
Because of utilizing a bullpen game the night prior, which included Evan Phillips completing a four-out save, and Daniel Hudson pitching in the eighth inning in the finale, Lamet was pressed into being the Dodgers’ closer.
“It was incredibly exciting,” Lamet said. “It’s a blessing to get those opportunities for a chance to put my stamp on the game. But I wasn’t thinking about the situation of the game, I was just thinking about every time I go out on the mound, get three outs.”
The save was the first of Lamet’s professional career.
“Really happy. Super happy to get an opportunity like that. I didn’t really focus on where I was in the game, I was just focusing on getting those three outs and knowing what it meant to sweep this team,” he said.
“I just went out there and focused on throwing strike one. We’ve been talking about it with the pitching coaches, throw strike one. That was the plan of attack, just to get strike one.”
Like Shohei Ohtani getting his first Dodgers home run ball back as a memento, Lamet said his from the save was retrieved as well.
Dinelson Lamet enjoying Dodgers experience
The Dodgers signed Lamet to a Minor League contract in February and had optioned him to Oklahoma City, where the veteran was expected to start a game this week.
“It’s just special to get an opportunity to be here,” Lamet said. “To be blessed with these opportunities, to enjoy these moments, to not get too lost. I don’t know if I’m going stay or be around, but just get focused on being in the moment, being happy in the moment.
“I think in the past, I haven’t been as happy in the moment that he wanted to be, but in this moment, I’m just excited to be here. Just excited to be in an organization like this.
“I think when I got signed by the team, we were talking through some things, but obviously just being focused, being in the moment, being with the organization and doing everything I can to help them.”
More must-reads: