Dodgers sign Neftali Feliz to minor league deal

Triple-A Oklahoma City has relied on several veterans this season. On the position player side, 30-year-old Andy Burns and 32-year-old Steven Souza Jr. found their way back to the majors. Five of the top eight innings totals in OKC have come from pitchers age 30 or older.

It looks like another veteran will soon join the ranks in Triple-A, with the Dodgers signing 33-year-old right-hander Neftali Feliz to a minor league contract, per Bob Nightengale at USA Today and Jorge Castillo at the Los Angeles Times.

Feliz made his way back to the majors for the first time since 2017 in the last week of June with the Phillies, but he allowed four runs in two appearances, retiring only three of his nine batters faced before getting designated for assignment. Feliz cleared waivers, then was sent outright to Triple-A, but he elected free agency instead.

Player of the day

Landon Knack, the Dodgers’ second-round draft pick in 2020, had his second consecutive scoreless start for High-A Great Lakes. This one was his best professional start to date, allowing only two singles in six innings for the Loons, while striking out six. One of those hits was erased on a double play, so Knack only faced one batter over the minimum.

Knack didn’t walk anyone against Lansing on Tuesday, the fourth time in six starts he hasn’t issued a free pass. On the season, Knack has 24 strikeouts against only four walks in 22⅓ innings to go with his 2.82 ERA. Knack, who turns 24 next Thursday, has a 51.7-percent ground ball rate, including eight groundouts on Tuesday.

From Great Lakes play-by-play broadcaster Brad Tunney:

Triple-A Oklahoma City

Oklahoma City only had five hits in a loss to the Salt Lake Bees (Angels). Two were by catcher and Olympian Tim Federowicz, who doubled and scored OKC’s only run.

Alex Vesia struck out the first two batters of the eighth inning in relief, running his strikeout streak to 15 straight batters, before allowing a single to Jo Adell. Vesia then struck out Kean Wong to end the frame, giving him 19 strikeouts in nine innings, allowing one run since getting optioned to Triple-A.

Yoshi Tsutsugo was 0-for-4, and in 15 games with Oklahoma City hit .138/.227/.310 with three doubles, 18 strikeouts, and seven walks in 66 plate appearances while on the injured list with a strained right calf. Minor league rehab assignments for position players can last up to 20 days, and Tuesday was Day 20 for Tsutsugo.

Double-A Tulsa

The Drillers took a 3-0 lead into the sixth inning, but the bullpen allowed five runs in a loss to the Springfield Cardinals. Nick Robertson surrendered the tie-breaking, walk-off home run to Luken Baker.

Miguel Vargas had a two-run single to open the scoring for Tulsa, and catcher Hunter Feduccia homered in the loss.

High-A Great Lakes

While Knack provided stellar pitching, the Loons also hit three home runs to beat the Lansing Lugnuts (A’s). Third baseman Brandon Lewis hit one of those home runs, his third in six games since getting promoted from Low-A. Lewis also doubled.

Second baseman Deacon Liput had three hits, including his sixth home run of the season.

Low-A Rancho Cucamonga

The Quakes hit four home runs to beat the Lake Elsinore Storm (Padres). Three of the home runs were solo shots. Third baseman Eddys Leonard hit a two-run home run, part of a three-hit, three-RBI night.

First baseman Sauryn Lao had four hits, inlcuding a home run and a double, scoring three times in the win.

Transactions

High-A: In a Great Lakes catcher swap, Carson Taylor was activated off the injured list after missing 10 games, and Ryan January was placed on the developmental list.

Tuesday scores

• Salt Lake 4, Oklahoma City 1
• Springfield 5, Tulsa 3
• Great Lakes 8, Lansing 2
• Rancho Cucamonga 11, Lake Elsinore 7

Wednesday schedule

• 4:05 p.m. PT: Great Lakes (Clayton Beeter) vs. Lansing (Seth Suhman)
• 5:05 p.m.: Tulsa (Andre Jackson) at Springfield (Dalton Roach)
• 6:30 p.m.: Rancho Cucamonga (Carlos Duran) vs. Lake Elsinore (Nick Thwaits)