Dodgers Activate Nicasio, Option Garcia

The Dodgers will get back one of their bullpen pieces, as Juan Nicasio is set to return from the DL tomorrow. To open up a spot on the roster, the Dodgers optioned Yimi Garcia back to AAA.

Nicasio, who hit the DL with an oblique strain, hasn’t pitched since a scoreless outing in Pittsburgh on August 9. In 47 innings this season, Nicasio has a 3.06 ERA (2.65 FIP) and has a 10.0 K/9 rate. He’s only allowed a single homer this season and righties are hitting .168 this season against him. With the bullpen’s struggles, Nicasio might be the best option to set up closer Kenley Jansen.

Jun 29, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Yimi Garcia against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Garcia getting sent down is likely an extremely temporary move, as rosters are set to expand in a week. He’ll be forced to stay in the minors for at least 10 days unless he gets recalled as an injury replacement, so barring injury he won’t be eligible to return to the Dodger bullpen until September 3.

Garcia has been extremely up and down this season, as he started the season virtually unhittable. After allowing a single run in 11 2/3 April innings, he gave up 18 runs in 26.2 innings before being sent down to AAA in July. He fared well in AAA and has been solid since his return and will definitely be back with the team when he’s eligible.

ESPN.com’s Mark Saxon believes that the Dodgers will need to fix their bullpen from within the organization, and that it’s becoming increasingly likely that Julio Urias gets a chance to pitch in the majors when rosters expand. True Blue LA’s Eric Stephen thinks that a different prospect, Jharel Cotton, could get a similar chance in about a week. In order to be eligible for the postseason roster, a player has to be in the organization by August 31st, not necessarily on the 40-man or 25-man rosters (h/t Dodgers Digest), so if Urias or Cotton do get their chance and thrive, there could be an infusion of youth in the bullpen moving forward.