The Dodgers announced that right-hander Yency Almonte has been placed on the 15-day injured list due to right elbow tightness. In the corresponding move, righty Andre Jackson was called up from Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Almonte will get an MRI to investigate the injury, manager Dave Roberts told The Athletic’s Fabian Ardaya (Twitter links) and other reporters. On the plus side, Almonte said that he is familiar with this type of tightness, and isn’t overly concerned about his status.
After spending his first four Major League seasons with the Rockies, Almonte was outrighted off Colorado’s 40-man following last year, and he chose free agency. That led to a minor league deal with the Dodgers and an excellent bounce-back season for the 28-year-old. Almonte has a 1.15 ERA over 31 1/3 relief innings for Los Angeles, inducing a lot of soft contact and limiting the long ball (only two homers allowed) despite a below-average 24.6% strikeout rate.
Almonte showed flashes of such performance in Colorado, posting impressive results in both 2018 and 2020 when he has been able to keep the ball in the park. In 2021, however, he gave up nine homers over 47 2/3 innings, and between the home runs and an inflated walk rate, Almonte posted an ugly 7.55 ERA.
Jackson made his MLB debut in 2021, with 11 2/3 innings over three games for L.A. He was briefly on the Dodgers’ active roster back in April but didn’t get any game action, so his 2022 resume consists of a 5.20 ERA over 55 1/3 innings at Triple-A. Jackson battled control problems earlier in his minor league career, and those issues returned with a vengeance this year, as he has 48 free passes in his 55 1/3 innings (against 59 strikeouts).
Still, Roberts suggested that Jackson might receive a spot start for the Dodgers on Wednesday, filling in for the injured Clayton Kershaw. It will depend on whether or not Jackson is needed in relief over the next couple of days, and the Dodgers also have an off-day Monday to factor into their rotation set-up.
nmendoza7
One of the incredibly rare cases he made his career WAR positive in one season.
Shrutefarm
It’s amazing what pitching at sea level consistently will do for a pitcher.
DarkSide830
Actually it’s not that rare at all to see RPs do that.
JimmyForum
Thanks to Danny, I’ll never trust an Almonte.
BlueSkies_LA
His season numbers don’t look sustainable (FIP well north of ERA), but from relievers you take what you can get while you can get it. Jackson is a slightly surprising call-up considering Pepiot seems to be more advanced. Might be a scheduling thing.
Cap & Crunch
It’s the new only 5 options rule. That rule was never going to be kind to us
BlueSkies_LA
Ah. Is Pepiot out this year or close?
Shrutefarm
Hasn’t he only been called up twice? He still has 3 left.
Cap & Crunch
2 options left which they may wanna parlay into the 2 back east trips end of August instead of now. Prolly the only inns we see outta Jackson will come in the next 10 days
Landon Knack seems like he’s ready as well. Hardly ever hear much about him but he could provide a nice swingman role today Id Imagine with low expectations attached. Maybe Sept we get a glimpse if all the injs don’t clear up by then
Shrutefarm
thank you. makes sense.
DonOsbourne
Completely off subject, but I have to give a shoutout to the Cardinals. I never dreamed they would sweep the mighty Yankees. That is the most fight I have seen this team show since last year. Finally, finally some killer instinct to go along with the talent. 5 W’s in a row and retaking first place in the central. Great weekend boys!
BlueSkies_LA
Yeah, that’s completely off topic alright.
DonOsbourne
Sorry, I’m a shameless fan and the Cards don’t generate a lot articles or discussion on here. I’ll let you guys continue with Dodger talk.
Cap & Crunch
Credit Corey Dickerson
DonOsbourne
Done and done! That’s hilarious!
laswagn
Are they really mighty though, or are they now playing to preseason expectations? I guess we’ll find out in the next couple of months.
DarkSide830
As a Phillies fan I think I speak for all of us in saying the Yankees BLEW IT.