The Los Angeles Dodgers recalled Victor González from Triple-A Oklahoma City and designated Jake Reed for assignment prior to Saturday’s game against the Chicago Cubs. It’s a seventh consecutive day with a Dodgers roster move after the team was unusually inactive for their first 15 games of the season.
González joins the Dodgers bullpen for the first time since 2021, when he struggled to build off an impressive rookie season. The left-handed relief pitcher had a strong showing in Spring Training last year but was surprisingly placed on the 10-day injured list due to elbow inflammation when the 2022 Dodgers Opening Day roster was set.
González ultimately had left elbow surgery last May to remove debridement. “From what I hear, he’s as good as expected,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said at the time. “And they’re very hopeful that a return at some point in time this year is most likely.”
However, González didn’t begin a rehab assignment until the middle of August and he wound up remaining with Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Further removed from elbow surgery and sticking with a focused workout regimen, the 27-year-old allowed one earned run or fewer in four of five Spring Training appearances.
González carried that success into Oklahoma City, where he went 1-0 with a 1.29 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 38.7% strikeout rate in six games.
Reed was DFA’d for the eighth time in the past 18 months, with four of those being by the Dodgers. He joined the team on Friday and recorded two outs and allowed six runs on five hits, including one homer.
Reed was recalled as the corresponding move to Michael Grove going on the 15-day injured list with a right groin strain.
Victor González changed diet
With some words of advice from Julio Urías and motivated to bounce back from struggling, González changed his diet and sleep pattern following the 2021 season. He’s stuck with that, and along with getting his left elbow healthier, has been in an improved state.
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