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When Alex Wood was sent to the disabled list Saturday, the obvious alternative was Ross Stripling, who was on the DL himself with a inflamed toe on his right foot. On Tuesday, manager Dave Roberts said the Dodgers plan to activate Stripling Thursday in the opener in Colorado.
The rotation for Colorado:
Ross Stripling will come off the DL and start for #Dodgers Thursday in Colorado. "Not set in stone," Roberts said. Rest of rotation should follow in order -- Maeda Friday, Buehler Saturday, Hill Sunday (and Kershaw for 1st game v #Giants at home Monday)
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) August 8, 2018
After a stellar May and June, Stripling struggled through July as he approaches the most innings he has thrown in his professional career. The 28-year-old has already surpassed his big league career-high, hurling 104 innings in 2018. Mostly in the bullpen in 2017, Stripling only tossed 74 1⁄3 innings last year in 49 appearances (two starts).
Despite a 4.73 ERA in five starts last month, the right-hander refused to give in to walks. With 30 strikeouts to just five walks in July, Stripling has struck out 119 overall against 15 walks.
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Prior to Tuesday night’s game in Oakland, the Dodgers announced they would place reliever Daniel Hudson on the 10-day disabled list with right forearm tightness, recalling switch-pitcher Pat Venditte from Triple-A Oklahoma City.
In 38 games for the Dodgers, Hudson has allowed 23 runs (19 earned) in 43 2⁄3 innings of work. But after a shaky April, Hudson has become a somewhat reliable arm this year, posting a 2.72 ERA since May 8.
This will be Venditte’s fifth stint with Los Angeles, likely to end when Stripling is activated Thursday. In five games in the big leagues this season, Venditte has allowed four runs on eight hits in 4 1⁄3 innings.
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The Brewers claimed right-hander Ariel Hernandez from the Dodgers Tuesday. Trading for him in mid-April, the Dodgers were trying to get Hernandez to a place with more command of a high-90s fastball.
No matter the level, the 26-year-old walked 51 over the past two seasons in 100 innings. Due to making a trade for John Axford on July 31, the Dodgers had to designate Hernandez for assignment to clear a spot on the 40-man roster.