Baez's lenghty layoff due to change in role
Dodgers righty is healthy and will be used as long reliever
LOS ANGELES -- Despite not pitching in the past 10 days, Dodgers manager Don Mattingly insists that right-hander Pedro Baez is healthy and available.
"He's healthy," Mattingly said. "I know he hasn't been out there in a bit, but he will be."
Baez hasn't pitched since Aug. 19 and his role has changed to more of a multi-inning, long reliever out of the bullpen after the Dodgers optioned Yimi Garcia to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Aug. 24. Before this 10-day layoff, his longest time without appearing in a game was five days.
Baez has lasted more than one inning in 10 of his 37 appearances this season and maxed out at two innings.
"We don't really have a true long guy out there so Pedro becomes that guy a little bit," Mattingly said. "So sometimes that guy is waiting until the end of the game or you use him and you don't have anyone left in the bullpen so you're pretty much over at that point."
Baez is 4-2 with a 3.11 ERA this season for the Dodgers.