Dodgers option Ross Stripling to Triple-A

LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers optioned pitcher Ross Stripling to Triple-A Oklahoma City after Thursday’s game, one day before opening a three-game series against the Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati.

The club has not yet officially announced the move, which will likely happen Friday along with a corresponding roster move, probably adding a fresh arm to the bullpen with the Dodgers about to play their fourth game in a stretch of 20 games in 20 days.

With Kenta Maeda starting on Sunday to give the rest of the rotation extra rest, that is one fewer arm in the bullpen as a potential long man for this weekend series in Cincinnati.

Stripling has served a variety of roles in the Dodgers bullpen this season, from high-leverage setup to long man, posting a 4.00 ERA and 2.71 FIP in 21 games, with 39 strikeouts and eight walks in 36 innings. He leads the Dodgers bullpen in innings pitched and was second in strikeouts.

In 17 of Stripling’s 21 outings he pitched in multiple innings.

But Stripling has also allowed seven runs and two home runs in his last two appearances, including four runs in 1⅔ innings on Thursday against the Indians. In his first 19 appearances this season, he allowed nine total runs, and one home run.

Stripling has also proven versatile, scoring the game-winning run twice as a pinch runner this season.