Dodgers News: LA Calls Up Top Triple-A Reliever for Padres Series
The Dodgers announced a roster move ahead of Friday night's game with the call up of top performing Triple-A relief pitcher, Wander Suero. Rookie starter Gavin Stone was optioned to AAA after making his major league debut on Wednesday.
Suero was a minor league signing by the Dodgers this past winter. The veteran of 4 big league seasons has struggled at the MLB level over the last few seasons but was a quality big league relief option with the Washington Nationals as recently as 2020 when he posted a 3.80 ERA over 22 games. His best season came back in 2018 when he had a 3.59 ERA over 40 games.
He pitched well with the Dodgers during spring training and was an option to make the opening day roster, but the team opted to have him start his season at AAA Oklahoma City.
In 10 games there this season, he's been exceptional working to a nice 1.69 ERA over 10.2 innings pitched. He's saved 5 games and has a 0.938 WHIP. His strikeout and walk numbers haven't been elite, but he's limiting damage
With Alex Vesia back down at AAA after a rough start to his season, the Dodgers needed another arm in the bullpen. The preferred move likely would have been to recall LHP Justin Bruihl against the Padres and their run of left-handed sluggers, but he hasn't been down at AAA for the requisite 10 days after being optioned last Friday.
