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LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers on Friday recalled Brock Stewart from Triple-A Oklahoma City, giving the club a long man in the bullpen with Julio Urias now starting on Saturday against the Cubs.
Catcher Shawn Zarraga was optioned to Triple-A to make room on the active roster for Carlos Ruiz.
To make room for Stewart, the Dodgers pulled out quite the creative choice, optioning Kenta Maeda to Rookie-level AZL Dodgers. Normally a player couldn’t be brought back from optional assignment within 10 days unless replacing an injured player.
Or if their minor league season ends, which is the case for the AZL Dodgers on Sunday, just in time for Maeda to make his scheduled start on Monday night at Coors Field against the Rockies.
Tim Brown of Yahoo Sports talked with Maeda’s agent, Adam Katz:
Kenta Maeda agent Adam Katz: "The Dodgers consulted me and Kenta before making this move. Kenta understands this allows ... (contd)
— Tim Brown (@TBrownYahoo) August 27, 2016
@TBrownYahoo "...Dave Roberts to keep a full bench this weekend, while keeping Kenta on turn for his next scheduled start on Monday. (contd)
— Tim Brown (@TBrownYahoo) August 27, 2016
@TBrownYahoo "The front office and Dave were very appreciative for the flexibility and the understanding for the good of the team."
— Tim Brown (@TBrownYahoo) August 27, 2016
Stewart will wear No. 48 this time around, after wearing 51 in his previous three big league stints with the Dodgers this season. Ruiz is now wearing 51.
In three games, including two starts, Stewart in 2016 has allowed 15 runs on 20 hits in 12 innings, with 10 strikeouts and seven walks.
The right-hander is 9-3 with a 1.68 ERA in 20 starts across three minor league levels this season, with 126 strikeouts and 18 walks in 118 innings.
UPDATE: manager Dave Roberts announced after Friday’s game that Stewart will start on Sunday in the series finale against the Cubs.