Dodgers Roster: Justin Bruihl Recalled, Andre Jackson Optioned

The Los Angeles Dodgers recalled Justin Bruihl from Triple-A Oklahoma City and optioned Andre Jackson prior to the series opener against the New York Mets.

The roster move is the first this season for the Dodgers in terms of shuffling healthy players. On Sunday, they signed Austin Wynns in response to Will Smith being placed on the seven-day concussion list. Alex Reyes was transferred to the 60-day IL in order to make room for Wynns on the Dodgers’ 40-man roster.

Bruihl is up with the Dodgers for the first time this season and gives them a third left-handed reliever in the bullpen. Caleb Ferguson presumably is unavailable Monday after pitching in the final two games of the series with the Chicago Cubs.

Bruihl went 2-0 and threw six scoreless innings in five appearances for OKC prior to getting recalled. He’s allowed just three baserunners on two hits and one walk.

The 25-year-old made his MLB debut in 2021, and is 1-1 with a 3.40 ERA in 45 games (two starts) for the Dodgers over parts of the past two seasons.

Jackson heads to the Minors three days after allowing four home runs in two innings of a loss to the Cubs. Overall this season, Jackson is 0-1 with a 3.94 ERA in four appearances.

This year marked the first time Jackson was included on the Dodgers’ Opening Day roster. Although a starter for most of his career, the 26-year-old filled more of a long relief role thus far.

Dodgers discovered Jackson tipped pitches

After Jackson surrendered a career-worst four homers, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts raised the possibility of tipping pitches being partly to blame. Jackson said during a postgame interview he wasn’t yet certain if that was the case and acknowledged he needed to also have better command.

Roberts then said the Dodgers indeed discovered Jackson had a tell during the rough appearance.

“So you got to give credit to those guys for detecting that from Andre,” Roberts said. “He didn’t make great pitches, but it’s certainly a lot easier when you know what’s coming.”