While the focus had recently been on the Dodgers’ injury-stricken position players, the team chose to bolster its bullpen on Monday by selecting right-hander Julian Fernández from Triple-A Oklahoma City ahead of their series opener against the Brewers in Milwaukee.
On the position-player side, Kiké Hernández was placed on the injured list with left elbow inflammation, while James Outman was recalled from Triple-A to take his spot.
Fernández last pitched in the majors in 2021, appearing in six games for the Rockies. Since then, he’s played in Triple-A for the Rockies, Blue Jays, and now the Dodgers, including a 2024 stint in the Mexican League with Veracruz.
The Dodgers signed Fernández to a minor league deal with a spring training invite on January 6. This season in Triple-A Oklahoma City, the 29-year-old has posted a 4.08 ERA across 24 games, with 32 strikeouts and 10 walks over 28⅔ innings. Notably, five of the 13 runs he’s allowed came in just his second appearance of the year. Since then, he’s settled in with a 2.30 ERA, a strong 20.4% strikeout-minus-walk rate, and has surrendered only one home run over the past three months.
Ten of his outings have lasted more than an inning, including five where he pitched two or more frames—his longest being 2⅔ innings. In his latest outing last Thursday, he pitched 1⅓ scoreless innings with two strikeouts in Las Vegas.
Justin Wrobleski was optioned to make room on the active roster, at least temporarily, as Tyler Glasnow is expected to return during the road trip, potentially as early as Wednesday in Milwaukee.
Wrobleski had a solid month-long run with the big league club, beginning with what was originally a spot start on June 6 in St. Louis. Over six appearances—both as a starter and in relief—he recorded a 3.48 ERA with 32 strikeouts and just 7 walks in 31 innings. His most recent outing came Saturday against Houston, where he gave up five runs (four earned) in 4⅔ innings, striking out six and walking one.
To open a spot on the 40-man roster for Fernández, the Dodgers designated CJ Alexander for assignment—just four days after claiming him off waivers. In two games for Oklahoma City, playing once at first base and once as a designated hitter, Alexander went 1-for-7 with a walk.
If Fernández appears in a game, he will become the 35th pitcher used by the Dodgers this season. As of Monday, the team’s 34 pitchers used ranks second in MLB, just behind the Mets.