Dodgers Surprisingly Demote Pitcher, Call Up Paul Gervase Before Pirates Series

The Dodgers swapped relievers.

May 22, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Paul Gervase (65) delivers a pitch against the Milwaukee Brewers in the sixth inning at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Paul Gervase is back with the Los Angeles Dodgers for the fourth time this season.

The right-hander is hoping the fourth time is the charm.

Gervase, 26, has been about as effective as the Dodgers could have hoped in his first three stints with the major league club this season. He's thrown 7.2 innings while allowing only two runs (2.35 ERA).

The 6-foot-10 reliever has a 1.57 WHIP and eight strikeouts, getting the most out of his massive frame to accentuate his 92.7-mph fastball.

It's the first full season for Gervase with the Dodgers after he was acquired, along with Ben Rortvedt, in the three-team trade that sent Hunter Feduccia to the Tampa Bay Rays at the 2025 deadline. Coincidentally, Feduccia (and Rortvedt) are both back with the Dodgers after they were re-acquired at the 2026 trade deadline earlier this month.

In 31 appearances with Triple-A Oklahoma City, Gervase is 2-1 with a 4.86 ERA. He's struck out 46 batters in 37 innings but struggled with control (31 walks).

Dodgers Option Emmet Sheehan After Brief Stint at MLB Level

As for the corresponding move, right-handed pitcher Emmet Sheehan has surprisingly been optioned to Triple-A. He didn't enter a game after being called up at the beginning of this week as a multi-inning option out of the bullpen when Edwin Diaz went on the injured list.

Sheehan was a starter for the first four-plus months of the season, going 4-8 with a 5.29 ERA across 95.1 innings before being optioned. He was called up to potentially help the bullpen in Colorado, but wasn't needed.

While Sheehan could have pitched multiple innings, Gervase is likely to be used in shorter stints. He had three saves in his time at Triple-A Oklahoma City, after picking up one save for the Dodgers' top minor league affiliate after the trade last season.

In 10 games at the major league level with the Dodgers and Rays, Gervase has thrown 16 innings while allowing 15 hits, 11 walks and six earned runs (3.38 ERA).

The Dodgers are kicking off a three-game series with the Pittsburgh Pirates at home this weekend. Then, they play three critical games against the Atlanta Braves before having a day off on Thursday.

The Dodgers just had this past Thursday off, so their bullpen is well-rested for their current stretch of six games in six days.

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