The Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday optioned Josue De Paula to the Triple-A Oklahoma City Comets, putting into doubt the rookie’s hopes of making the postseason roster.
De Paula skipped Triple-A on his way to the major leagues, though now, it looks like he’ll be going back to hit that missed step.
De Paula, an outfielder who’s largely served as a designated hitter, was by no means a lock for the postseason, but his strong play over the past couple of weeks had many hopeful he could be a part of the team’s pursuit of a three-peat.
How has Josue De Paula played in the big leagues this year?
De Paula has appeared in only 11 games, but he’s surely made an impact.
He’s hitting .323 with a homer, seven RBIs and a stolen base, but he’s more than just a player who hits for average.
De Paula is also a regular producer of walks and extra base hits, with a .500 on-base percentage and .581 slugging for an OPS of 1.081.
As recently as Tuesday night, he was a force, hitting 2-for-3 with a triple and a run scored, a continuation of a strong season that included a Texas League Most Valuable Player award for his work with the Double-A Tulsa Drillers.
With Shohei Ohtani returning from injury on Wednesday, though, the Dodgers needed room on the roster, and clearly, they thought De Paula had to be the odd man out.
What does this mean for the Dodgers?
De Paula being optioned could be an indicator that the team expects to have a healthy Dalton Rushing hitting in October.
De Paula’s postseason availability would likely only have come if a player was hurt and the team got an exemption from the Commissioner’s Office.
The players whose injuries could have provided a runway for De Paula were center fielder Andy Pages, who returned to action on Tuesday, and catcher Dalton Rushing.
Rushing, who’s been battling elbow pain due to a partial UCL tear, was already going to be limited to just a hitter if he was able to return for the postseason stretch.
Given that the Dodgers seem willing to demote the hot-hitting De Paula, the team clearly is hopeful that Rushing will be healthy enough to contribute to the playoff run.
We’ll find out for sure with Rushing later this week, reports Katie Woo of The Athletic.
If Rushing isn’t ready to return, then De Paula will be able to return before the playoffs, as a player sent down cannot return to the big leagues for at least 10 days, Woo reports.
“By optioning De Paula on Wednesday, the Dodgers ensured he’d be eligible to be recalled by Oct. 3, the date of the first scheduled games of the National League Division Series,” which is almost definitely the first playoff series for the Dodgers, Woo wrote.
Do you think the Dodgers were right to demote De Paula?
12 Responses
Don’t panic about Josue De Paula being optioned today—it was a mandatory paper move to get Shohei Ohtani back on the roster while keeping De Paula eligible to be called right back up for Game 1 of the NLDS. The real battle is for the final left-handed bench bat in October. Dalton Rushing is completely shut down from throwing, compromised by an elbow injury, and hasn’t seen consistent live pitching in weeks. De Paula is red hot, seeing the ball incredibly well, and has already proven he can hit big-league stuff. Rushing’s injury history makes him too unreliable right now. The Dodgers need to reward the hot hand and carry De Paula into the postseason.
DePaula making the post season roster faces two challenges. First, he is a subpar outfielder- grade D and is a liability. Second, he would have to be a DH…. and that position is taken by another left-handed hitter… Othani.
I think they sent him to Oklahoma City to help them try to win the Pacific coast league playoffs
I have a feeling that Freeland will have an injury soon.
I’d choose DePaula any day over Rushing, more professional, better focus at the plate, and doesn’t disrespect teammates and throw tessifits
DePaula is a hitter. Plain and simple.
Rushing is young catcher, learning his craft. His batting skills are no where near DePaula’s who also
brings energy and emotion.
Bring him bak for the playoffs.
Rushing is done for the season (he has been shut down for a while now). Either Freeland or Call will have one of those mysterious “injuries” right before the playoffs, and De Paula will (hopefully) be back in the majors in time for the playoffs. Since De Paula is an outfielder and DH, my bet is on call not making the playoff roster, and that will create a spot for De Paula, with a waiver from MLB. Stay tuned!
That’s what he gets for breaking Dodger Law. Playing 10 games injury-free.
BAD MOVE!!! You should of kept him in there got the exemption and brought down Rushing. Why take someone out who is producing? Rushing didn’t do squat when he pinched hit but strike out. We missed a great pinch hitter who has great plate present.
He’ll get more at bats at AAA
I think they should have optioned Freeland or Rushing, and kept JDP as a lefty off the bench. Ohtani will obviously DH, Teoscar Hernandez and Kyle Tucker are both hot, and Andy Pages just came off the IL, and that left JDP without a position. The Dodgers don’t want him sitting idle, so he was the odd man out. I hope he is back for the playoffs.
Do you think the Dodgers were right to demote De Paula?…..Hell no! De Paula was doing great. Great on base percentage. Rushing is injured and has not been hitting. Thinking he will miraculously be a wiz at the plate is some big time wishful thinking!