Dodgers activate Pedro Baez from DL, option Ian Thomas to Triple-A Oklahoma City

The Dodgers activated relief pitcher Pedro Baez off the disabled list on Friday before the opening game of their series against the Marlins in Miami. Baez missed six weeks with a strained right pectoral muscle.

To make room on the roster, left-hander Ian Thomas was optioned back to Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Baez pitched three scoreless innings on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City, allowing two hits while striking out two. The right-hander last pitched on Tuesday.

Baez this season was a huge part of the strong start by the Dodgers bullpen, with 22 strikeouts and just three walks in 15⅓ innings in his 15 appearances. Baez put up a 1.76 ERA and also stranded all 13 of his inherited runners this season.

His last game for the Dodgers was May 13, against the Marlins at Dodger Stadium.

Thomas was recalled by the Dodgers on Monday, though because of travel delays and mishaps wasn't really available until Tuesday. At any rate, he didn't pitch during this stint with the Dodgers. He is 3-0 with a 5.30 ERA in four games this season with Triple-A Oklahoma City, including three starts, with 14 strikeouts and five walks in 18⅔ innings, including allowing six total runs in his last three starts.

Baez was one of four Dodgers relievers rehabbing in the minors last weekend. Joel Peralta was activated on Monday and has pitched the last three days, while both Brandon League and Paco Rodriguez remain on their respective rehab assignments.