At one point this week, Carlos Frias was scheduled to start for Triple-A Oklahoma today. Instead he has a locker in the home clubhouse at Dodger Stadium after being recalled by the Dodgers on Wednesday.
His return was announced shortly after the Dodgers announced they had designated pitcher David Huff for assignment and claimed left-handed pitcher Ryan Dennick off waivers from the Cincinnati Reds.
The Dodgers have 10 days to place Huff on waivers, trade him, release him, or outright him to the minor leagues. Dennick is now on the 40-man roster and will report to Double-A Tulsa.
Frias, a 25-year-old right-hander, last pitched Friday for Oklahoma City and allowed three runs on eight hits in 5 ⅓ innings.
In four Cactus League appearances (one start) for the Dodgers this spring, Frias allowed six runs in eight innings. He posted a 6.12 ERA in 15 games for the Dodgers last year in his first big league action. Frias’ ERA was crushed by a historically bad spot start at Coors Field in which he allowed eight runs in two-thirds of an inning.
“He pitched really good out of the bullpen for us,” Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said of Frias. “He’s a guy that’s started also. He’s kind of that guy who can do both, and so he fits into what we need right now.
“Using Juan (Nicasio in long relief) last night was part of that plan. (Frias) is protection for the rest of our guys (in the bullpen).”
Huff allowed four runs in four innings in his only appearance for the Dodgers. He did not factor into the decision as the Dodgers came back to win, 6-5 in 10 innings. The former Huntington Beach Edison and UCLA standout was told he’d been designated after the game.
“We really like David,” Mattingly said. “He’s got a chance to be a big part of what we do. Selfishly, we’re hoping he ends up with us.”
Dennick, 28, got into eight games with the Reds last year and fared much better against left-handers (1-for-7) than right-handers (6-for-13). He got into two games with the Reds’ Triple-A affiliate this season and continued the pattern. Right-handers went 3-for-4 against Dennick with two doubles; lefties went 1-for-8 with two strikeouts.