The Los Angeles Dodgers selected the contract of Andrew Heaney from Triple-A Oklahoma City and optioned Will Klein prior to Saturday’s game against the Seattle Mariners.
Klein returns to the Minors after spending one week with the Dodgers. He was recalled Sept. 19 as the corresponding move to Michael Kopech going on the 15-day injured list with right knee inflammation.
Klein pitched in four games during his latest stint with the Dodgers, completing two sets of back-to-backs. The right-hander threw 4.2 scoreless innings and allowed just two hits, issued one walk and collected six strikeouts in those appearances.
His most recent game was in the series opener at T-Mobile Park, which was a planned bullpen game for the Dodgers after Emmet Sheehan’s short start. Klein’s velocity was slightly lower than the night prior, but he retired five of six batters faced.
Klein’s success this month, coupled with flashes earlier in the season, seemingly have him in the conversation to be part of the Dodgers’ bullpen for the postseason. Particularly when taking into account their shortage of right-handed options due to injuries and subpar performance.
Overall with the Dodgers this season, Klein went 1-1 with a 2.35 ERA and 1.57 WHIP across 14 appearances. He joined the organization in June via a trade that sent Minor League pitcher Joe Jacques to the Mariners.
Given that the Dodgers used six relief pitchers on Friday night and are likely to shorten Tyler Glasnow’s final start of the year, they faced a need for a fresh arm in the bullpen.
In steps Heaney, who signed a Minor League contract at the end of August for a third stint with the Dodgers. Heaney reported to the Comets, where he pitched to a 0.90 ERA in four starts.
Heaney strung together three consecutive scoreless outings before allowing one run in two innings on Sept. 21. The southpaw collected 13 strikeouts across 10 innings pitched in his four starts for Oklahoma City.
Heaney is eligible for the postseason with the Dodgers due to signing before the Sept. 1 cutoff date.
Nick Frasso was transferred to the 60-day injured list in order to make room for Heaney on the Dodgers’ 40-man roster.
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