Dodgers Make Wholesale Bullpen Changes Ahead of Giants Series Finale

The Dodgers called up a couple bullpen reinforcements ahead of their series finale against the Giants, as they look to turn Wednesday night’s game into a three-game San Francisco sweep.

Right-handed pitcher Eduardo Salazar was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City. The Dodgers also selected the contract of Oklahoma City right-hander Elieser Hernández, adding length to a bullpen that has thrown 7.1 innings over the last two days.

Gone are right-handers Nabil Crismatt, who was designated for assignment for the second time this season, and Gus Varland, who was optioned to Oklahoma City.

Hernández, 29, is poised to make his Dodgers debut. His next game will be his first at the major league level since Oct. 5, 2022 when he was pitching for the Miami Marlins. Hernández was starting at Triple-A, where he had a 4-1 record, 2.83 ERA, and 34 strikeouts in 28 innings.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has said tonight’s game will be a bullpen game. Hernández will take the ball first:

In five major league seasons, all with the Marlins, Hernández is 10-21 with a 5.04 ERA in 90 games (48 starts). The Dodgers signed him to a minor league contract Jan. 12.

Crismatt and Varland both pitched in the Dodgers’ 10-2 win over the Giants on Tuesday night. Crismatt allowed one run on three hits in his only inning of work; Varland tossed a scoreless eighth inning, lowering his ERA for the season to 3.00.

Salazar returns to the Dodgers for the second time this season; he did not appear during his only day with the club in April. In seven starts with Oklahoma City, he went 1-2 with a 5.61 ERA.

Salazar appeared in eight games with the Cincinnati Reds last season and allowed 11 runs across 12.1 innings (an 8.03 ERA).

Photo Credit: Doug Hoke/The Oklahoman / USA TODAY Network

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