The Los Angeles Dodgers recalled Landon Knack from Triple-A Oklahoma City and optioned Eduardo Salazar prior to Wednesday’s game against the Washington Nationals.
Knack joins the Dodgers roster for his MLB debut in the series finale at Dodger Stadium. He was previously on their Opening Day roster for the Seoul Series, but did not pitch.
Knack has made three starts with OKC thus far, logging a 4.02 ERA, 3.46 FIP and 0.96 WHIP to go along with 16 strikeouts over 15.2 innings pitched.
Knack’s most recent start saw him go 5.2 innings, allowing three runs on three hits, striking out six.
The 26-year-old was ranked as the Dodgers’ No. 15 prospect according to The Athletic’s Keith Law. Knack was included on the Dodgers’ Opening Day roster for the Seoul Series but didn’t make an appearance and was optioned prior to the Dodger Stadium opener.
Between Double-A Tulsa and Triple-A Oklahoma City in 2023, Knack posted a 2.51 ERA over 22 outings.
Knack features a solid mix including a four-seam fastball, slider, changeup and a curveball. He began toying with a cutter a few years ago, and as of now, he relies on his command to induce ground balls, aiming to miss barrels.
The former second-round pick in the 2020 MLB Draft projects as a back-of-the-rotation starter, and his ability to limit walks will allow him to remain a quality piece at the highest level.
The decision to elevate Knack to the Dodgers comes during a time when Bobby Miller is out of the rotation for an undetermined period, while they piece together the six-man rotation without as many solid options. It’s unclear how much of a leash he’ll have, but his rise through the Minor League ranks has shown he’s earned the opportunity.
Knack has a ceiling of around five-to-six innings if all things go as planned, as he’s been stretched out enough while in Triple-A.
Eduardo Salazar optioned for Landon Knack
Salazar was added to the roster on Tuesday, but did not pitch for the Dodgers before being optioned.
Salazar went 1-0 with a 2.57 ERA in three Triple-A starts this season. The 25-year-old pitched for the Cincinnati Reds in 2023, allowing 11 runs in 12.1 innings while notching his first Major League win on June 6 against the Dodgers.
He has pitched in 144 games (79 starts) in his Minor League career, going 24-25 with a 4.33 ERA and 432 strikeouts in 484 innings. He signed a minor league contract with the Dodgers on November 16, 2023.
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