The Dodgers recalled left-hander Adam Liberatore from Triple-A Oklahoma City today. He’ll take the 25-man roster spot vacated when Carlos Frias was optioned to Triple-A on Thursday.
Liberatore, 27, has never pitched in the major leagues.
The left-hander appeared in two games for Triple-A Oklahoma City this season and allowed one run. It was the first run he’d allowed all season; in spring training Liberatore pitched in 11 games and did not allow a run in 10 ⅓ innings. He walked three batters, struck out nine, and limited opponents to a .118 batting average.
A native of Bellflower, Liberatore was acquired in the November 2014 trade that sent Jose Dominguez and Greg Harris to Tampa Bay.
Dodgers manager Don Mattingly talked about Liberatore prior to tonight’s game against the Colorado Rockies (above.)
Liberatore’s performance in spring training certainly justified the call-up. He was a favorite of Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman, who knew the pitcher well from their time in Tampa Bay.
It’s an interesting move for a Dodgers team that already had two left-handers in the bullpen (J.P. Howell and Paco Rodriguez) but might be without outfielder Yasiel Puig for a third straight game. Puig ran in the outfield to test his strained left hamstring in the afternoon and “he’s still feeling a little something,” according to Mattingly.
If Puig doesn’t play, the Dodgers will be down to one reserve outfielder (Scott Van Slyke), along with two reserve infielders (Alex Guerrero and Justin Turner) along with catcher A.J. Ellis.
Liberatore will wear number 36.