Dodgers News: David Huff On Being Left Off Roster, First Start

The Los Angeles Dodgers knew that they would need a fifth starter the second week of the season, but they didn’t know who that would be.

On Monday, they announced that left-hander David Huff would be promoted from Triple-A and get the nod against the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday at Dodger Stadium. Huff was a non-roster invitee this spring that pitched well, but ultimately, didn’t make the Opening Day roster. He pitched three inning of scoreless relief for the Oklahoma City Dodgers last Thursday and now will get the call in the Dodgers eighth game of the season.

According to Dodgers Nation reporter Matt Moreno, the left-hander doesn’t have much in regards to expectations for the start:

I’m just trying to go as long as I can, try to get as many guys out as I can and try to give the bullpen a rest.

While Huff has started in the big leagues before, he’s mostly worked as a reliever the past two seasons with his last start coming in September of 2013. He pitched in 46 games last season for the San Francisco Giants and New York Yankees, all in relief.

In 13.2 innings this spring, Huff allowed just two earned runs and struck out five hitters. Despite the strong numbers, he was left off the Dodgers roster. He discussed the feeling of not making it:

When I got that news, I was a little disappointed. It is what it is. I was just concentrating on pitching in OKC and when my next outing was going to be.

Now that Huff is in the big leagues, he could stick around depending on how he fares on Tuesday and depending if the Dodgers decide to carry 12 pitchers. They have been carrying 14 position players and 11 pitchers and the bullpen has worked a bit more than the team could have expected.

Dodgers 2015 Spring Training – Justin Turner