LOS ANGELES --- The Dodgers added depth to their bench by calling up catcher James Farmer, their 30th-ranked prospect according to MLBPipeline.com, and placed lefty Grant Dayton on the 10-day disabled list.
Farmer, a former college shortstop, gives the Dodgers an extra bench player after they had been rolling with a short bench, carrying 14 pitchers and 11 position players on their roster. Manager Dave Roberts said Farmer could play at first and third and behind the plate.
"He's performed, which is a credit to him," Roberts said. "And having the ability to fire to that bullet with Austin [Barnes] earlier in the game with a third catcher is a luxury. Kyle can play third base -- and I've seen it with my eyes, he plays a good third base -- [and we] can move him to first base if need be and also have him behind the plate."
Farmer, who played college ball at the University of Georgia with lefty Alex Wood, has slashed .326/.384/.488 and nine homers in 81 games for Double-A Tulsa and Triple-A Oklahoma City this season.
On Dayton's injury, described as neck stiffness, Roberts said the southpaw has issues firing off pitches.
"Grant has had a little bit of a neck [issue] and it flared up on him," Roberts said. "He can play catch, but when he gets full extension and kind of lets it rip, there's something in that cervical [area], in that kind of neck region that is maybe impeding his arm stroke, so we want to DL him and get him right."
Among other moves, the Dodgers also acquired right-handed pitcher Luke Farrell from Kansas City and transferred lefty Adam Liberatore to the 60-day DL with a left elbow strain.
Farrell, who is the son of Red Sox manager John Farrell, has spent most of this season in the Minors for Triple-A Omaha this season, going 7-4 with a 4.07 ERA. The 26-year-old, who will be sent to Oklahoma City, made his Major League debut this season after the Royals selected his contract July 1. He threw 2 2/3 innings with two strikeouts against Minnesota.
Liberatore, who has pitched in four games this season with a 2.70 ERA over 3 1/3 innings, was placed on the 10-day DL on May 31 dealing with left forearm tightness.