Dodgers call up Grant Dayton, option Zach Walters to Triple-A

LOS ANGELES -- The Dodgers added left-hander Grant Dayton to the bullpen before Thursday's finale against the Nationals, rewarding the pitcher who has arguably been the Dodgers' top minor league relief pitcher this season.

Zach Walters was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City and, to make room on the 40-man roster for Dayton, Chris Hatcher was transferred to the 60-day disabled list.

Dayton, 28, has a 2.44 ERA in 35 appearances between Double-A Tulsa and Triple-A Oklahoma City, with 85 strikeouts and 10 walks in 48 innings. He has struck out 85 of 183 batters this season, a remarkable 46.4-percent rate, including 57 of 125 batters (45.6 percent in Triple-A).

With Oklahoma City, Dayton had a 2.51 ERA in 23 games, with 57 strikeouts and seven walks in 32⅓ innings, and has saved three games. He last pitched on Monday, throwing two perfect innings in extras in Tacoma, striking out four batters and throwing 33 pitches.

Dayton was acquired from the Marlins on July 15, 2015 in exchange for former first-round pick Chris Reed. Whenever Dayton pitches, he will be making his major league debut. So far the Dodgers have used 24 different pitchers in 2016. Last year, the club used a franchise-record 31 pitchers.

Dayton will wear No. 75 with the Dodgers.

Walters, called up over the weekend in Arizona, was 0-for-5 in three games with the Dodgers, including one start. He was acquired from the Indians for cash considerations on April 10.

Moving Hatcher to the 60-day disabled list means the earliest he could be activated is Sept. 18, with 14 games remaining in the regular season. That puts him perilously close to effectively being done for the year.

The Dodgers on Thursday also optioned infielder Charlie Culberson to Triple-A to make room for Julio Urias, who is starting the series finale.