Alex Vesia, Edwin Uceta optioned
LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Dodgers activated outfielder AJ Pollock and right-handed pitcher Jimmy Nelson from the injured list and optioned pitchers Alex Vesia and Edwin Uceta to Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Pollock, 33, returns to the injured list after missing 17 games with a left hamstring strain. He played in four rehab games at Rancho Cucamonga, going 2-for-9 with a homer and one RBI. Prior to the injury, he appeared in 32 games for the Dodgers, batting .277 (26-for-94) with five doubles, four homers and 16 RBI. Last season, he finished tied for the team lead with 16 homers and batted .276 with 25 extra-base hits and 34 RBI in 55 games. He is in 10th Major League season and is a career .279 (802-for-2875) hitter with 109 homers and 361 RBI.
Nelson, 31, appeared in 16 games for the Dodgers prior to injury. He posted a 1-1 record with a 2.41 ERA (5 ER/18.2 IP) and 30 strikeouts. He made his lone start of the season for the Dodgers on May 16, going 1.2 innings of scoreless baseball against the Marlins and has not allowed a run in his last seven appearances (9.1 IP). He is in his seventh Major League season and is a combined 34-47 with a 4.17 ERA (302 ER/652.0 IP) in 135 games (108 starts).
Vesia, 25, appeared in 10 games for the Dodgers, going 0-1 with a 5.91 ERA (7 ER/10.2 IP) and 16 strikeouts against 11 walks. The Northern California native was acquired from the Marlins along with minor leaguer Kyle Hurt in exchange for Dylan Floro. In 52 career minor league games, he has posted a 1.62 ERA (18 ER/100.0IP) and 138 strikeouts.
Uceta, 23, pitched in seven games for the Dodgers, allowing five earned runs over 12.2 innings with 13 strikeouts. The Dominican Republic native has been with the Dodgers organization since signing as international free agent on July 2, 2016. In parts of five minor league seasons, he has posted a 20-12 record with a 3.73 ERA (139 ER/335.0 IP) and 368 strikeouts.
