Juan Nicasio will start first game of doubleheader, Ian Thomas to be 26th man

Juan Nicasio will start for the Dodgers in the first game of their doubleheader against the Rockies on Tuesday, the team announced after Monday night's 11-4 win over Colorado.

Both the Dodgers and Rockies are allowed to utilize an extra roster spot for Tuesday's doubleheader per MLB rules, giving each a 26th man on the active roster for one day, but Nicasio is already on the active roster.

The 26th man will reportedly be left-hander Ian Thomas, acquired last Wednesday in the six-player trade with the Braves, per multiple reports after Monday's game at Coors Field.

The first game, a 12:10 p.m. PT start, will essentially be a bullpen game for the Dodgers, as Nicasio has pitched in relief all season. He has pitched three innings once all season, the only time he pitched longer than two innings. His season high is 43 pitches. He last pitched 1⅓ innings on Friday, throwing 17 pitches in St. Louis.

Nicasio has been very good out of the bullpen for the Dodgers this season, with a 1.29 ERA and 2.00 FIP, striking out 28 batters in 21 innings, with 11 walks.

Most of the first four years of his major league career was as a starter, making 69 starts for the Rockies. But poor performance led to him getting designated for assignment in November, and the Dodgers seized the opportunity to pick him up off the scrap heap, acquiring him for minor league outfielder Noel Cuevas.

Nicasio is 13-9 with a 5.24 ERA in 37 career games at Coors Field, including 26 starts, with 163 strikeouts and 67 walks in 199⅓ innings.

Thomas has been mostly a reliever as well, though the Dodgers plan to stretch him out as a starting pitcher in Triple-A. His longest outing this season in the majors or minors was three innings, and he has lasted at least two innings in six other appearances.

The left-handed Thomas made his debut with Oklahoma City in relief on Thursday, allowing six runs on eight hits in 2⅓ innings, including two home runs.

The 26th man can be used in both games if needed.

It is a bit puzzling that the Dodgers passed over both Joe Wieland, who could have started on Tuesday on regular rest, and Zach Lee, who was removed from his start on Friday after just three innings and 40 pitches. Either could have been called up to start, but neither were.

Zack Greinke starts the second game for the Dodgers on Tuesday, a 5:40 p.m. PT start.

David Hale, who started Thursday for Triple-A Albuquerque, will be called up by Colorado to start the second game of the doubleheader Tuesday, per Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post. Jorge De La Rosa starts the first game for the Rockies on Tuesday.