The Los Angeles Dodgers have made a last-minute roster move ahead of Saturday’s game against the New York Yankees.
Phil Bickford, who pitched the ninth inning of Friday’s 8-4 win over the Yankees, has been placed on the 15-day injured list with lower back tightness. Tayler Scott, who’s been on the taxi squad since yesterday, has replaced him on the active roster.
The Dodgers are placing RHP Phil Bickford on the injured list with lower back tightness.
RHP Tayler Scott, who’s been on the taxi squad this weekend, has been called up.
— Dodgers Nation (@DodgersNation) June 3, 2023
The Bickford move is definitely a little suspicious in my opinion. Yesterday, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said there was a little “smoke” in the bullpen, and that someone may have to go on the injured list.
Then, Bickford entered yesterday’s game, making it seem like he wasn’t the one potentially battling an injury. However, Bickford did turn out to be that pitcher, and is now on the injured list for at least the next two weeks.
While I do think Bickford may be battling some back tightness, this does seem like more of a phantom IL situation to me.
Bickford has been struggling as of late, allowing 10 earned runs in his last 6.1 innings pitched. Overall this season, Bickford has allowed 22 earned runs in 27 innings, giving him quite the inflated 7.33 ERA.
Bickford will now be out for at least the next two weeks, but if I had to guess, I don’t think we’re going to be seeing him back with the Dodgers for a long time. Bickford is out of options, so the only way the Dodgers could get him off the active roster without designating him for assignment would be placing him on the IL.
As for Scott, he’s back with the Dodgers after being recalled and sent down two weeks ago. Scott didn’t end up making an appearance in the few days he was up, but will now get an opportunity to play with the big league club.
In 19.2 innings at the Triple-A level this season, Scott has allowed just three earned runs, good for a 1.37 ERA. Hopefully he can translate that to the MLB level.
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