Dodgers: Caleb Ferguson Working His Way Back to Los Angeles

The Dodgers will be looking for bullpen reinforcements over the next month.  One of those reinforcements should come from Triple-A in Caleb Ferguson.

Over the next month leading up to the July 31st trade deadline, the Dodgers will begin evaluating possible bullpen trade targets.  Unlike previous seasons, this season there will be no more trades after the July 31st deadline.  Players can still be claimed off waivers but there will be more waiver trades, like the one that netted David Freese last year.

The biggest area of need for the Dodgers is their bullpen.  Particularly a left-handed reliever after Tony Cingrani was shut down.  Scott Alexander has had a season of reverse splits as has been ineffective against left-handed batters.  Lefties are hitting .364 against him with an OPS of .976.  He has been effective against righties, limiting them to a .143 average.

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This is where Caleb Ferguson comes into play for the Dodgers.  He is currently in Triple-A working his way back from an oblique injury.  Even with an ineffective start to his season, Fergie is holding lefties to a .222 batting average.  With the OKC Dodgers, he has been impressive in six innings, allowing no runs, two hits, and eleven strikeouts.  All those strikeouts coming in just six innings of work.

In 2018, Caleb Ferguson quickly advanced through the minor leagues and due to injuries he made his big league debut as a starting pitcher.  After being placed in the bullpen he became a big part of the bullpen posting an ERA of 2.35 while allowing an opponent’s average of just .231.  He was effective against all batters and the Dodgers could use some of that in 2019.

Fergie was placed on the injured list at the end of April and has been working his way back ever since.  Although many thought the IL move was more roster manipulation from the Dodgers, it appears that there was really an injury going on.  His Triple-A stint has been spectacular so far and he should get called back up very soon.  Caleb Ferguson will play a big part in what the Dodgers need at the trade deadline.