Yency Almonte Placed On Paternity Leave, Alex Vesia Recalled

The Los Angeles Dodgers put Yency Almonte on the paternity list and recalled Alex Vesia from Triple-A Oklahoma City prior to Thursday’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Also before the series finale, the Dodgers placed Daniel Hudson on the 15-day injured list and recalled Nick Robertson.

Vesia is back up with the Dodgers just under two weeks removed from being optioned when Phil Bickford was activated off the IL.

Vesia has been among the primary culprits of a Dodgers bullpen that’s fallen well short of expectations this season.

The left-hander fared well during his first stint with OKC, but continued to be plagued by inconsistency after getting recalled. Overall this season, Vesia is 0-4 with a 7.58 ERA, 4.22 FIP and 2.42 WHIP across 23 relief appearances.

Vesia did just snap a string of allowing at least one run in four consecutive appearances by throwing a scoreless inning during the Dodgers’ bullpen game in the finale of the Freeway Series. One of the batters he retired was Mike Trout, which Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said was an encouraging development and show of confidence.

Yency Almonte joins Dodgers paternity list

Almonte is the sixth player the Dodgers have put on the paternity list this season. Caleb Ferguson had been the last to go on paternity leave, back in May.

MLB roster rules state a player that goes on the paternity list is required to miss a minimum of one day but can’t be away from the team for more than three days.

Almonte is 3-1 with a 5.15 ERA and 1.39 WHIP in 38 games this season. He’s endured some inconsistency but is currently in the midst of nine consecutive appearances without allowing an earned run.