LOS ANGELES - The Dodgers took roster manipulation to a new level on Friday, optioning No. 1 starter Kenta Maeda to Rookie-level Arizona League, whose season ends Sunday, allowing Maeda to be recalled to pitch Monday for the Dodgers in Denver.
An optioned player is frozen in the Minors for 10 days, or until the Minor League team's season ends. This loophole makes room on the roster for Brock Stewart to start Sunday, manager Dave Roberts announced after Friday night's game. Before the game, Roberts announced that Julio Urías would start Saturday.
As for Maeda, he will be pitching on five days' rest and the Dodgers have maneuvered his rest to replicate his routine in Japan. Maeda's had success at Coors Field, going 2-0 with a 1.50 ERA, 13 strikeouts and one walk in 12 innings.
In the other move announced on Friday, catcher Carlos Ruiz was activated following his acquisition on Thursday and Shawn Zarraga was optioned back to Triple-A.