Dodgers Recall Matt Sauer, Designate José Ureña for Assignment

LOS ANGELES, CA – The Los Angeles Dodgers have announced the recall of pitcher Matt Sauer from Triple-A Oklahoma City and have designated José Ureña for assignment. The team made this move to bolster their pitching staff ahead of a game against the San Diego Padres on Tuesday.

Sauer, 26, will step in for Tony Gonsolin, who is currently on the 15-day injured list due to a sore right elbow. This will mark Sauer’s sixth appearance with the Dodgers this season, having allowed nine runs in 20.2 innings pitched.

In his brief stint with the team, Ureña, 33, made two appearances and surrendered one run on four hits over three innings, boasting a 3.00 ERA. Ureña’s inability to be optioned to the minors has culminated in this decision, reflecting the Dodgers’ searching for fresh options amidst multiple pitching injuries.

Across his career, Ureña has played for several teams, including the Miami Marlins, Toronto Blue Jays, and Detroit Tigers, and he holds a 4.78 career ERA. Despite his recent performance, the depth in the pitching roster demanded further adjustments, leading to Ureña’s designation.

On the other hand, Sauer is set to make an impression after transforming his pitching mechanics. Following a challenging 2023 season, Sauer reverted to his original mechanics from when he was drafted in 2017 and cultivated a more effective pitching style.

His previous struggles included a 7.71 ERA as a member of the Kansas City Royals before returning to the New York Yankees. Currently, he shows promise with a 3.97 ERA in the minors, indicating that he may find success at the major league level as he aims for a longer-term spot in the rotation.