LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Dodgers were so heartened by Brandon Beachy's outing for Triple-A Oklahoma City Monday night that they are considering activating him to face the Milwaukee Brewers Saturday, manager Don Mattingly said.
It would be Beachy’s first major-league start since he blew out an elbow ligament for the second time in his career nearly two years ago.
It wasn’t the results that had the Dodgers excited -- Beachy allowed three earned runs on nine hits over six innings – but the fact that his fastball touched 93 mph, in line with the velocity Beachy had when he was a front-end starting pitcher for the Atlanta Braves from 2010-12. His last major-league start came on Aug. 20, 2013.
The Dodgers, who have lost Brandon McCarthy and Hyun-Jin Ryu for the season, have seen the back end of their rotation fall apart with an injury to Carlos Frias. Twice this season, they have had to get through a game by using most of the pitchers. Yimi Garcia started Monday night, followed by Eric Surkamp, who was optioned back to Triple-A Tuesday.
“One of the things we talked about a lot with Brandon was giving him the time to not only be physically ready, but to the point where he’s ready to compete,” Mattingly said. “He could be a guy that would be considered [for this weekend].”
The Dodgers signed the right-hander while he was still recovering from a second Tommy John surgery to a one-year, $2.75 million deal in spring training. The contract contains a 2016 club option that could be worth anywhere from $3 million – if Beachy makes no starts for the Dodgers this season – to $12 million if he makes 18. Beachy, 28, is 14-11 with a 3.23 ERA over his career.
In five minor-league rehab starts in Class A and Triple-A, Beachy has gone 1-1 with a 2.41 ERA.
The Dodgers are hopeful Beachy can help them bridge the gap in their rotation this season and then be inked into their rotation next year. Zack Greinke can opt out of his deal following this season, Brett Anderson will be a free agent, McCarthy won’t be ready by spring training and it’s uncertain how effective Ryu will be coming off shoulder surgery. Clayton Kershaw is the only sure thing for next spring.
“We weren’t forcing Brandon to be back in June. It was on his timetable. We let him physically get there and mentally get there,” Mattingly said. “I’ve seen it pay off. Give them time and that second year can be really good.”
