Editorials

Dodgers Call Up Eric Surkamp, But Yimi Garcia Gets The Start

Eric Surkamp

As expected, the Los Angeles Dodgers called up left-handed pitcher Eric Surkamp from Triple-A Oklahoma City ahead of Monday’s game with the Philadelphia Phillies. Paco Rodriguez, recovering from left elbow surgery, was transferred to the 60-day disabled list in order to clear room for Surkamp on the 40-man roster.



Additionally, Daniel Coulombe was optioned back to Oklahoma City so that Surkamp could then be placed on the active roster. Surkamp’s arrival became expected when he was scratched from Sunday’s scheduled start, then was confirmed by Dodgers manager Don Mattingly after Sunday’s loss.

However, Mattingly did not commit to the left-hander as Monday’s starter, in place of Carlos Frias, who is on the 15-day DL with lower back tightness. It apparently was with good reason as the Dodgers are going with a bullpen game, handing the ball to Yimi Garcia to “start” the game.

Monday marks Garcia’s first career Major-League start and first since 2011 when he was with Rookie level Ogden Raptors. Previously pitching for the Chicago White Sox’s Triple-A affiliate, Surkamp was primarily used as a reliever and only started one game.

He’s since converted to a starter after being traded to the Dodgers in exchange for Blake Smith on May 22. Surkamp’s first two starts in the Dodgers organization produced subpar results. He went three innings in each outing and gave up a combined eight earned runs on 11 hits and issued six walks — one in his first start and five in the second outing.

However, since those two starts the 27 year old has put together three quality starts as well as two starts in which he went five innings (gave up two earned runs in one and just one earned run in the other). Thus far as a starter Surkamp is 4-2 with a 4.50 ERA and a WHIP of 1.34.

As for Coulombe, he threw two innings to finish Sunday’s loss and allowed one run on three hits. He’s appeared in a total of five games this season, posting a 7.56 ERA with 8.1 innings pitched. Coulombe has been optioned back to the Minors a total of six times now.

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