Dodgers: Minor League Options May Keep Caleb Ferguson in Triple-A

Caleb Ferguson is currently working his way back from the injured list.  Due to him having options, the Dodgers may not be able to add him back onto the big league roster.

The Dodgers’ bullpen has had mixed results so far this season.  The one thing they do not lack is options.  With too many starting pitchers, the Dodgers currently have Julio Urias and Ross Stripling in their bullpen.  Those two extra spots have put Caleb Ferguson’s bullpen spot in question when he is ready to return from the IL.

Ferguson was placed on the IL due to an oblique injury although the injury came at an interesting time when it was seemingly a choice between keeping Yimi Garcia or optioning Ferguson to the minor leagues.  Yimi Garcia is out of options and he has been pitching very well as of late.  After a rough start, Yimi has gone eight straight appearances without allowing a run.

Although his ERA remains slightly high at 4.70, he is holding opposing hitters to a .148 batting average. Yimi Garcia has always had the stuff to be an effecting reliever so the chances of sneaking him through waivers are pretty slim.  As long as he keeps pitching well, it’s unlikely that the Dodgers will get rid of him to make room for Caleb Ferguson.

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Not only is Yimi out of options, but the Dodgers have another reliever working his way back who is out of options and that is Tony Cingrani.  Cingrani has made two appearances in the minors and struck out three batters while allowing no earned runs.  The Dodgers already have two lefties in the bullpen with Julio Urias and Scott Alexander, so they are not going to add Cingrani and Ferguson back to the bullpen.

Tony Cingrani and Caleb Ferguson are also the same mold of reliever.  Although Fergie can go more innings, both are hard-throwing lefties who are capable of being more than a situational lefty in the pen.  Ferguson and Cingrani have both shown the ability to get right-handed batters out in addition to left-handed hitters.  Scott Alexander does have options left but he has done a solid job this season.

With limited bullpen spots available and Yimi Garcia and Tony Cingrani both being out of options, the Dodgers are going to have some tough decisions to make soon regarding their bullpen.  If they play the options game then Caleb Ferguson will be stuck in Triple-A until injuries arise, or the Dodgers decide to part ways with Yimi Garcia or Tony Cingrani.