The Dodgers have selected the contract of right-hander Neftali Feliz and optioned southpaw Andrew Vasquez to Triple-A Oklahoma City, per a club announcement.
Feliz, 33, was with the Dodgers for a scoreless inning earlier this season but was designated for assignment and outrighted to Oklahoma City after clearing waivers. The 2010 American League Rookie of the Year made his first MLB appearance since 2017 earlier this season with the Phillies but was hit hard in three innings before being cut loose.
While he’s struggled in limited big league action this season, Feliz has been nothing short of dominant in a hitter-friendly Triple-A setting. He’s logged a combined 38 innings between the top affiliates for the Phillies and the Dodgers, pitching to an overall 2.13 ERA with a massive 40.1 percent strikeout rate, a 9.2 percent walk rate and just 25 hits allowed (albeit five home runs).
There’s no guarantee this will be anything other than another very brief look for Feliz, even with his dominance in Triple-A. The L.A. bullpen has been overpowering over the past month, collectively pitching to an MLB-best 1.99 earned run average in that time. Six different relievers — Blake Treinen, Kenley Jansen, Phil Bickford, Alex Vesia, Brusdar Graterol and Justin Bruihl — have pitched at least 10 innings with an ERA of 2.63 or better over the past month. In the past 30 days, the “worst” ERA for any Dodgers reliever who has appeared in multiple games is Joe Kelly’s 4.15. With such a strong showing from the relief corps as a whole, Feliz may have a hard time sticking around, though the expansion of rosters from 26 to 28 players helps his cause.
Always been a fan of Feliz. Wish him the best even if it’s a short stint.
Too bad they won’t be able to use him for the wild card game against the Reds. Reds are 3-0 in the playoffs against the dodgers.
I too believe the 1995 playoffs matter in 2021
Yep because Feliz totally would have been a difference maker in a potential LA-CIN WC game.
Gonna be Pad’s or Phils with that WC spot
Phillies will be close to .500 when all is said and done. Doubt they make it.
They could use him the the playoffs, he was in the organization before sept 1st, he pitched one inning and was sent down to AAA.
It’ll be the Giants in that spot, not the Dodgers.
The Dodgers claim a dead corpse
I’m glad Dodger relievers are trending up.
Despite good ERA, I think the bullpen is their weak spot, and I say that as a Dodger fan.
At one point LA was 1-11 in extra inning games.
I think that extra innings record is more a reflection of their hitting. I remember a lot of those were 1 run losses. Of course I’m old, so I may be remembering them wrong. Jansen also had that stretch were he kept blowing it. Overall, I think their bullpen has done a lot better than expected, at least better than my expectations.
Fair enough, I’m just less confident in the bullpen compared to other parts of the team.
I think this year they might be the best bullpen la has had in recent memory.
That shows just how good the Dodgers are, for the bullpen to be so good and still the weak spot.
Last month BP has ERA of less than 2. Doesn’t get much better.
Yes, but the season lasts six months, with luck more, and I don’t believe the constant churn is the reason why the bullpen has showed well over the last month. With so many disposable one-and-done guys I’d say more like in spite of it.
Much rather have the Pen peaking at the end of the season
I’d rather it be good all year, so they don’t lose winnable midseason games that count for just as much as the ones played at the end of the season. But that’s just me.
^^^THIS
I agree that wins anytime during the season are wins. But typically no bullpen plays consistently well throughout the year. There are injuries and times where players go into slumps. I would rather they peak going into the playoffs.
I get what you are saying but very little plays consistently well throughout an entire season and I can’t judge how well this bullpen will perform down the stretch drive and into the postseason based on one month out of six. Too many odd and ends have come and gone over that time for me to understand who the role players will be now that we’re into down and dirty time. Neftali Feliz, what’s the point of putting him on the roster?
Blue very good chance that Gonsolin and Duffy are ready to go by season’s end. Alexander may be ready. Losing Nelson was tough. Most of they recycled pitchers are innings eaters and placeholders. How well Gonzo and Duffy will pitch is anyone’s guess. But if they didn’t pick up odds and ends, they wouldn’t have picked up Bickford. You never know. Remember they have numerous relief pitchers on the shelf right now. Otherwde you wouldn’t be seeing all these odds and ends.
Next year hopefully Caleb is back, Nelson is back, Alexander is back and who knows who they sign in the off-season.
Gonsolin we’ll probably see and pretty soon, but I doubt Duffy throws a pitch as a Dodger. Last I heard he wasn’t even scheduled for a rehab assignment. Bickford has been serviceable but he’s really the only one of the bunch and I still feel like he’s an accident waiting to happen.
Not scheduled for rehab but is throwing all his pitches. Pretty soon, maybe this weekend, a simulated game then a rehab start if all goes well. He still has four weeks. Seems like he should be physically ready before playoffs. But how well he pitches is another question. Seems like [lots of] Met’s fans are convinced deGrom will be back and he is no further advanced than Duffy. You might be right but I’m thinking he’ll be off the DL before end of the season.
I want a shutdown group of bullpen arms.
A group of relievers appropriate for this loaded roster.
Cherry pick a small sample size and use ERA to evaluate relievers but it doesn’t change the reality of the situation.
It’s been so many months since Duffy last pitched in a game it seems improbable that he would be able to come back up to speed in time even if he does get off the IL before it’s over.
He was awful with the phillies earlier this year. I believe he gave up a grand slam in one game and multiple runs in another.
Their bullpen has pitched a ton lately. The Dodgers are just cycling thru bums to keep their “A-relievers” and “B-group” fresh for their playoff game.
game(s). Fixed it for you.
2019 to 2014: 2.53 ERA.
2015+: 5.23 ERA
Good luck…
This confused me for a moment. 2019 to 2014 should read 2009 to 2014.
Dude used to have a filthy ass curveball.
TMI.
He can no longer use foreign substances, including touching his filthy ass, to improve the grip on his curveball.
Sir, how do you know the condition of his ass?