The Los Angeles Dodgers return home tonight to face their division rival, the San Diego Padres. They will have a fresh arm in the bullpen when the game starts. Right-hander Paul Gervase will be on hand if needed, and Charlie Barnes was sent down to Triple-A Oklahoma City, according to Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register.
Charlie Barnes was thanked for his service and sent back to OKC following the game. RHP Paul Gervase will join the #Dodgers in LA tomorrow
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) July 2, 2026
Dodgers Call Up a New Arm in Wake of Big Series
The Big Picture
The Dodgers just completed a three-city road trip and won seven of nine games. The final game was a rout in the wrong direction. The Athletics defeated the Dodgers 7-1. Coincidentally, it was a game that Shohei Ohtani was originally scheduled to start. However, with a successful road trip well in hand, Los Angeles thought it better to give their superstar an extra day of rest and opted for a bullpen game instead. Jack Dreyer pitched a scoreless opening frame, and then youngster Charlie Barnes took the rest of the game and took it on the chin. He gave up seven runs, and the game was out of reach.
But the Los Angeles bullpen was saved to fight another day.
Intriguing Prospect
The Dodgers acquired young reliever Paul Gervase from the Tampa Bay Rays last year on the eve of the Trade Deadline in exchange for catcher Hunter Feduccia. This is the lanky right-hander’s third tour with Los Angeles this season. He might be in for a quick turnaround too, with former closer Evan Philips set to come off the Injured List by July 4th. Manager Dave Robert has called Barnes and Gervase “stop-gap” options, as the Dodgers wait to get their full roster of arms healthy.
Gervase has had a modicum of success in the big leagues. In his two stints, he has pitched a total of five innings with five strikeouts and an Earned Run Average of 1.80. This season at Triple-A Oklahoma City, he has an E.R.A of 3.60 in 19 games. In addition, Gervase has 35 strikeouts in 25 innings pitched.
A Sigh of Relief
Mookie Betts is back in the lineup tonight. He was held out of last night’s game due to wrist soreness. The Dodgers hope the brief time off doesn’t cool off his bat. The shortstop is hitting above a .350 batting average in the last 12 games.
Main Photo Credits: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
