Dodgers Place Veteran Reliever on Injured List
Add another pitcher to the Dodgers’ already-long injured list.
Ryan Brasier was placed on the 15-day injured list with a right calf strain, retroactive to April 28. Right-hander Gus Varland was recalled from the taxi squad to take his place. Varland was reportedly with the Dodgers during their road trip in Toronto, and now will be active for the series opener against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Phoenix.
Brasier, 36, has taken his lumps during his second season in Los Angeles. The right-hander has allowed six runs across 11.2 innings in 12 appearances this season. He’s walked three batters and struck out 12. Three of the 10 hits he’s allowed have left the ballpark.
Brasier earned a two-year, $9 million contract in the winter after posting an outstanding 0.70 ERA across 39 appearances last season with the Dodgers, who originally signed him to a minor league contract in June 2023.
Varland, 27, also was acquired by the Dodgers in the middle of last season when he was returned to the club by the Milwaukee Brewers, who had selected him in the 2022 Rule 5 draft.
This marks the second time Varland has been recalled to the major leagues this month. In each of his two appearances — one in Seoul on March 21, another in Chicago on April 7 — he’s retired exactly one batter. Varland allowed two runs (one earned) against the Cubs, leaving him with a 13.50 ERA for the season.
In nine appearances with Triple-A Oklahoma City, Varland is 1-0 with a 5.06 ERA and 11 strikeouts in 10.2 innings.
The Dodgers will now await the return of Brasier, along with Blake Treinen, Kyle Hurt, Brusdar Graterol and Connor Brogdon to a bullpen suddenly hurting for right-handed arms.
Photo Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
