Dodgers make flurry of roster moves ahead of series finale in San Diego
by Rowan Kavner
The Dodgers placed infielder Gavin Lux on the injured list, activated right-handed pitcher Brusdar Graterol and recalled infielder Sheldon Neuse among a number of moves Sunday afternoon before their attempt at a sweep in San Diego.
They also optioned left-handed pitcher Alex Vesia and placed right-handed pitcher Ashton Goudeau on outright waivers to open room on the 40-man roster. Goudeau was claimed by Colorado.
Lux hasn’t taken an at-bat in four days with a sore right wrist, but he appeared as a pinch runner on April 15, so his IL stint will be retroactive to Friday, April 16. In 13 games this year, the former first-round pick has a .220/.244/.317 slash line with two triples.
“It’s just smart to kind of give him some extra time,” said manager Dave Roberts. “Obviously Gavin wants to be in there, but I think the smartest thing to do is make sure he’s 100 percent so hopefully he won’t have to deal with this issue moving forward.”
With Lux still out, Neuse is in the starting lineup at second base for Sunday’s series finale in his first game up with the team. Neuse was acquired on Feb. 11 in a four-player trade that sent left-handed pitcher Adam Kolarek to Oakland. Neuse has played in 25 big league games, all in 2019, posting a .250 batting average with three doubles and seven RBI.
Graterol, who began the season on the IL and joined the Dodgers from the club’s alternate site this weekend, is back in action. The 22-year-old right-handed reliever was 1–2 with a 3.09 ERA last season and recorded three holds and a save in nine postseason games during the Dodgers’ World Series run.
Vesia was recalled Saturday after the Dodgers’ 12-inning game to begin the series but did not appear. The 25-year-old made his first five Major League appearances last year for the Marlins.
Goudeau was claimed by the Dodgers from the Giants on April 10. The Rockies are the fifth different team to claim Goudeau off waivers since he was waived by Colorado in November.
Trevor Bauer will take on Blake Snell on Sunday in the Dodgers’ first matchup against the left-hander since the deciding Game 6 of the World Series.
