Moylan Optioned, Jose Dominguez Called Up

Word is just coming in now, that the Dodgers have called up right handed pitcher Jose Dominguez from triple-A Albuquerque. In a corresponding roster move, Peter Moylan was optioned back to Albuquerque.

Dominguez is a 22 year old right handed pitcher out of the Dominican Republic. The Dodgers signed him when he was 17 and he has been in the minor leagues ever since. This season he has pitched in 22 games split between Albuquerque, and Chattanooga. He posted a 1.78 ERA, and 0.868 WHIP in just over 25 innings pitched. He posted a 2-0 record, with five saves, and whiffed 40 while walking 13. He has a 14.2 whiff per nine rate this season, and a career minor league whiff rate of 9.9

Jose Dominguez-Photo from Mlive.com

Dominguez was also suspended for 25 games this season for violating the MLB drug policy.

Peter Moylan was signed out of spring training this season as a non-roster invitee. Moylan allowed five earned runs in two innings pitched in last night’s disastrous 16-1 loss to the Phillies, which exposed the Dodgers nasty underbelly of their bullpen. That back half of Moylan, Brandon League, and Matt Guerrier, are indeed the worst trio of relievers in all of Baseball. By replacing the mediocre Moylan with the young Dominguez, the Dodgers accomplish two good things.

1. They get younger.

2. They eliminate one of the roster spot wasting bums from the roster. (Now just two more Buns to go!)

Moylan pitched in ten games for the Dodgers this season, posting a 1-0 record, a 6.35 ERA and whiffed only five in 11 innings of work.

According to the scouting reports, Dominguez’s fastball can reach speeds of over 100 MPH. So it should be a big advantage actually having someone else other than Kenley Jansen, that can throw hard. It is still uncertain what Dominguez’s role will be in the Dodger bullpen, but it is nice to have an extra fireballer in the bullpen. Dominguez is the 22nd pitcher for the Dodgers this season.