Dodgers recall former standout pitcher just before playoffs as last-minute experiment

With the Los Angeles Dodgers already locked into the No. 3 seed in the National League playoff picture, their struggling bullpen needed an extra arm to eat some low-leverage innings against the Seattle Mariners during their final series of the season.

Enter Andrew Heaney.

Los Angeles selected the veteran southpaw to the Major League roster Saturday, optioning Will Klein back to Triple-A. To clear space for Heaney on the 40-man roster, the Dodgers recalled right-hander Nick Frasso and promptly placed him on the Major League 60-day injured list.

Heaney signed a minor league deal with the Dodgers just a few days after being released by the Pittsburgh Pirates at the end of August. Because he was signed by Sept. 1, he will be eligible to pitch for Los Angeles in the postseason – but let's see how he fares against Seattle, first.

Dodgers select contract of veteran southpaw Andrew Heaney from Triple-A Oklahoma City

Heaney logged 120 1/3 innings over 26 appearances (23 starts) for Pittsburgh in a season that reeked of inconsistency. He posted a 2.50 ERA through the end of April, but his numbers plummeted after that. A particularly rough August that saw him rack up 15 earned runs over 13 1/3 innings ultimately proved to be the last straw for the Pirates, who designated him for assignment at the end of the month.

Heaney signed with the Dodgers and reported to Triple-A Oklahoma City – conveniently, in his hometown – and pitched 10 innings of one-run ball with 13 strikeouts and two walks during the month of September.

Heaney's return to Los Angeles will be a homecoming of sorts, as the 34-year-old pitched for the Dodgers during the 2022 season. In 16 appearances (14 starts), he posted a 4-4 record and a 3.10 ERA over 72 2/3 innings pitched. He also pitched in relief during Game 3 of the National League Divisional Series against the San Diego Padres that year, giving up one run in three innings in the Dodgers' 2-1 loss.

While Heaney was presumably recalled to face the Mariners, he could end up providing a much-needed boost to the Dodgers' struggling bullpen as they head into October. The postseason begins for the Dodgers on Tuesday, when they will host either the New York Mets or Cincinnati Reds in the NL Wild Card series.

More Dodgers content from Dodgers Way