Dodgers recall Casey Fien, option Pedro Baez to Double-A Tulsa

LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers made a bullpen change before Tuesday night’s game against the Rockies in Colorado, recalling Casey Fien from Triple-A Oklahoma City and optioning Pedro Baez to Double-A Tulsa.

As was the case with Brock Stewart, sending Baez to Tulsa means he could return to the majors inside of 10 days — on Sept. 6 should the Drillers fail to quality for the Texas League postseason.

Baez has struggled in August, and has allowed runs in seven of his last 11 appearances. For the month Baez has a 7.50 ERA and four home runs allowed in 13 games, with 12 strikeouts and six walks in 12 innings. Opposing batters in August are hitting .347/.411/.653 against him.

On the season, Baez has a 3.61 ERA and 4.27 FIP in 62 games, with 68 strikeouts and 19 walks in 62⅓ innings.

Fien with the Dodgers has a 3.80 ERA in 23 games, with 20 strikeouts, six walks and seven home runs allowed in 23⅔ innings. He was optioned to Triple-A on Aug. 19, and Tuesday was the first day he could return without replacing an injured player.

In this stint with Oklahoma City, Fien retired all eight batters he faced in two games, with four strikeouts. He last pitched on Saturday, throwing 17 pitches in 1⅓ innings.

Counting his first five weeks of the season with the Twins, Fien (12) and Baez (11) are two of just 16 pitchers to allow 10 or more home runs in relief in 2016.