Dodgers place Alex Verdugo on the IL; Option Gonsolin to AAA

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JULY 02: Alex Verdugo #27 of the Los Angeles Dodgers waits on deck during the first inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium on July 02, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JULY 02: Alex Verdugo #27 of the Los Angeles Dodgers waits on deck during the first inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium on July 02, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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The Dodgers made a surprising move today as they placed Alex Verdugo on the IL.  They also optioned Tony Gonsolin to AAA after a stellar start on Monday night.

The Dodgers made a few roster moves on Tuesday as they announced they placed Alex Verdugo on the IL with a right oblique strain. They also optioned Tony Gonsolin to triple-A Oklahoma City while recalling Edwin Rios and Caleb Ferguson.  Oblique injuries are tricky and can take several weeks to heal.

Tony Gonsolin was optioned after six shutout innings against the Cardinals last night.  Combining his last two outings he has thrown ten innings while allowing just one run.  This is likely due to the fact that Hyun-Jin Ryu and Ross Stripling are about to return, but Gonsolin should be called back up relatively soon.

Caleb Ferguson will re-join the Dodgers and attempt to make a run at a postseason roster spot.  After a very strong 2018 campaign, Fergie has been a disappointment in 2019 posting an ERA of 5.88 in the big leagues.  For the OKC Dodgers, he has been nearly unhittable posting an ERA of 1.76 while holding the opposition to a .170 average.

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In his last outing before being optioned to the minors he did escape a no-out bases-loaded situation without allowing a run so maybe he can build off his last outing in the majors.  Outside of Julio Urias, the Dodgers are going to need at least one more southpaw reliever and the favorite is the newest lefty Adam Kolarek.  The battle is just beginning for Kolarek and Ferguson.

Edwin Rios was in the midst of a very strong season at the AAA level.  This season he has mashed 25 home runs while posting an OPS of .891.  In fifteen at-bats with the LA Dodgers this season he has hit .267 with one double and one triple.  He will give the Dodgers another left-handed bat for the outfield with Verdugo on the IL.

For now, we will have to wait and see how severe Alex Verdugo’s oblique strain is. Depending on how serious the strain is, the recovery time can be anywhere from a week to several months if surgery is needed.  With about seven weeks left in the season, there is plenty of time for Dugie to heal up and get back into the swing of things before the postseason.

Next. Jedd Gyorko off to a strong start in his rehab stint. dark

The newest super-utility man Kristopher Negrón figures to see plenty of time in centerfield with Verdugo sidelined.  Negrón has had a positive impact in his short time with the Dodgers and now has an extended chance to prove he belongs on the roster.  While Kiké Hernandez and Chris Taylor will return soon, the most versatile player on the roster right now is Negrón.