Dodgers Option Chone Figgins, Recall Jose Dominguez

In somewhat surprising news, the Dodgers announced they have optioned infielder/outfielder/utility guy Chone Figgins to Albuquerque, and recalled reliever Jose Dominguez. Why they called up Dominguez and not lefty Paco Rodriguez, is anyone’s guess.

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My guess is they felt that with the bullpen being used up and overworked over the last few days that they could use an extra reliever. Maybe a second part of this is the club felt that they didn’t need Figgins anymore. That still doesn’t explain why they chose Dominguez over Paco.

What this means is that the club is now carrying eight relievers, and 13 pitchers. It also means while carrying an extra reliever, the Dodgers are also now a man short on the bench. And if anyone else gets hurt Figgins is just a phone call away.

Figgins has only played in nine games this season, and has just nine plate appearances. In six at-bats, the veteran utility man is 1 for 6 with three walks, and a run scored. The Dodgers signed Figgins in January on a minor league deal to fulfill the Jerry Hairston/Jamey Carroll role of the utility guy that can play all over the diamond. However Figgins has only played one game in the field this year, and has primarily just been used as a pinch-hitter.

As for Dominguez, this is his second stint with the club this year, The right hander broke camp with the big club, but was optioned down to Albuquerque on April 4, in order to clear room for Matt Kemp’s return from the DL.

Dominguez the hard throwing 23-year old Dominican right hander has only appeared in three games this season for the Dodgers. He’s thrown three frames, allowing four earned runs, and posting an ERA of 12.00. He’s walked two and whiffed five batters. In Albuquerque Dominguez has pitched in three games, and posted an 0-1 record, with an ERA of 3.00 and one save.

Dominguez made his MLB debut with the Dodgers late last season, pitching in nine games, throwing 8.1 innings, and posting an ERA of 2.16. in total Dominguez has pitched in 12 major league games.