Bolsinger 'very honored' to get start for Dodgers
Pitcher to make debut with team in series finale against Giants
SAN FRANCISCO -- Right-hander Mike Bolsinger is set to make his Dodgers debut in Thursday's matinee against the Giants. Bolsinger, who has made two starts with Triple-A Oklahoma City this year, got settled in with the rest of his new teammates before Wednesday's contest, though no official move had been announced yet.
The move was made Thursday, with Bolsinger replacing outfielder Chris Heisey on the active roster. Heisey was recalled for Wednesday's game, starting in center field and going 0-for-2 with a walk.
Bolsinger posted a 1-6 record with a 5.50 ERA and a 48-to-17 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 10 appearances (nine starts) for the D-backs last year as a rookie. But the 27-year-old said something was different about this promotion.
"It's not like the first time you got called up," Bolsinger said. "But in a way, it kind of was because you're playing for the Dodgers. There's only a few teams in Major League Baseball that you can really be blown away with, and Dodgers is one of those. It's an awesome feeling. Very honored."
Bolsinger was named Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Week on Monday. He has gotten off to a hot start this year, striking out 17 while allowing three hits and three walks over 11 scoreless innings in two outings. According to Bolsinger, offseason work on his slider has paid big dividends.
"It was a pitch I didn't think was going to be as good as it was," Bolsinger said. "It's just been working out really well. Obviously, throwing that fastball inside to righties and lefties, it just opens up the other side of the plate so much. That's what the slider kind of complements, that inside pitch."
Adding Bolsinger gives the Dodgers five starters and allows the veterans in the rotation to get extra rest. Manager Don Mattingly said there "could be" another spot starter called up for Sunday's contest at San Diego as well.
"Clayton [Kershaw], Zack [Greinke] and guys that have been kind of grinding it out for us -- we want to try and take advantage before we get into that stretch when there's really no more days off for them," Mattingly said. "This probably won't be the last one."
Mattingly added that he doesn't know when injured southpaw Hyun-Jin Ryu is expected to throw off the mound again.