Originally published by DodgerBlue.com
The Los Angeles Dodgers reinstated Tarik Skubal from the bereavement list and optioned Kyle Hurt to Triple-A Oklahoma City before Wednesday’s game.
Skubal returns after leaving the Dodgers on Sunday to tend to a private matter. MLB roster rules require a player who was put on the bereavement list to be away from the team for a minimum of three days, but no more than seven.
Skubal last pitched against the San Francisco Giants on Saturday and turned in his worst start since joining the Dodgers. He allowed four runs on eight hits and recorded only three strikeouts in five innings of work.
Skubal still earned the win and improved to 4-2 with a 2.95 ERA in nine starts for the Dodgers. Despite putting up solid numbers in L.A., the left-hander believes he has even more to offer the team.
“Yeah, I couldn’t agree more,” Skubal said earlier this month of the notion that he hasn’t reached his full potential with the Dodgers. “Sometimes I’m fighting myself. I just haven’t really gotten into the rhythm of who I am on the mound yet. There’s still work to be done in that aspect, and that’s also what makes this job fun.
“I get to continue to strive to be a better version of myself tomorrow when I wake up. So, yeah, I think there’s different things to work on, but that’s what makes the game beautiful. You always got a chance to get a little bit better. But I agree with that. I don’t think I’ve thrown the ball as well as I know I’m capable of yet.
Skubal’s next start is expected to be Friday, against the Giants once again, but at Oracle Park. He’s then expected to anchor a playoff rotation that includes Yoshinobu Yamamoto and potentially Tyler Glasnow and/or Blake Snell.
Kyle Hurt optioned
Hurt is back with the Comets after briefly returning to the Dodgers as part of a series of roster moves that saw Skubal land on the bereavement list.
The right-hander has pitched over five separate stints for L.A. this season, going 4-1 with a 4.14 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, and 11.4 strikeouts per nine innings across 44 appearances (one start). Hurt last pitched in the series opener against the San Diego Padres, throwing two innings in what was a bullpen game for the Dodgers.
With the Triple-A season coming to an end, Hurt could find his way back to the Dodgers either as a member of their postseason bullpen at some point or the taxi squad.
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