Casey Fien sent outright to Triple-A

LOS ANGELES — Dodgers pitcher Casey Fien, who was designated for assignment on Saturday, cleared outright waivers and was sent outright to Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Fien was a casualty of the 40-man roster when the Dodgers needed space to activate outfielder Andre Ethier off the 60-day disabled list. But he should be able to help Oklahoma City, who opens the best-of-5 Pacific Coast League Championship Series on Tuesday in El Paso (Padres).

Oklahoma City set a PCL team record with 1,245 strikeouts and led the circuit in fewest walks allowed (372) as well. But of their top 11 strikeout leaders on the season, seven pitchers — Jharel Cotton, Jose De Leon, Grant Dayton, Zach Lee, Brock Stewart, Julio Urias, Trevor Oaks — have been either traded, promoted, or are hurt.

In their dramatic five-game series win over Nashville, the OKC bullpen was called upon for 18⅓ innings in five days.

Fien, 32, had a 4.21 ERA in 25 games for the Dodgers this season, with 23 strikeouts, four unintentional walks and eight home runs allowed in 25⅔ innings. He also made eight appearances with Oklahoma City, putting up a 4.35 ERA with 13 strikeouts and two walks in 10⅓ innings.

This is the second time this season the Dodgers have sent Fien outright to Oklahoma City, also doing so on May 12. As such, Fien had the right to decline such an assignment this time around.

Unless he is added back to the 40-man roster by the end of the season, which seems highly unlikely, Fien will have the right to elect free agency between the end of the season and Oct. 15.