The Dodgers shuffled their bullpen again Thursday, bringing back right-hander Jonathan Hernández and sending Landon Knack back to Triple-A ahead of the series opener against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Hernández had been designated for assignment earlier this week, cleared waivers and chose free agency rather than accept an outright assignment to Triple-A. Los Angeles re-signed him, then added him to the active roster.
Knack, meanwhile, was the odd man out after covering the final eight outs of Wednesday’s game and collecting the third save of his major league career. Because he’ll be unavailable for at least a couple of days, the Dodgers decided to option him and turn to a fresh arm.
Right-hander Paul Gervase was seen in the Dodgers clubhouse before Thursday’s game, but the club went with Hernández instead.
Hernández, 30, originally joined the Dodgers in May after being released by the Philadelphia Phillies. In two separate big league stints with Los Angeles this season, he has made 15 appearances and allowed 16 runs over 22.1 innings, posting a 6.45 ERA with 18 strikeouts, 12 walks and four home runs allowed.
He was DFA’d in a larger roster move ahead of Monday’s series opener against the Kansas City Royals as the Dodgers sorted through bullpen options. Now he’s back again, with Los Angeles trying to take three of four from Milwaukee and move closer to the No. 1 seed in the National League.
Hernández began his pro career when the Texas Rangers signed him as an international free agent in 2013. He debuted in the majors with Texas in 2019 and stayed with the club until 2024, when he was designated for assignment and claimed by the Seattle Mariners.
Over parts of six MLB seasons with the Dodgers, Mariners and Rangers, Hernández has a 4.57 ERA across 175.1 innings with 168 strikeouts.
Knack’s situation is different because he has minor league options, which made him the easier move for a club cycling through bullpen arms. He was recalled before Wednesday’s game to help cover innings and delivered, finishing off the night with that eight-out save after starter Eric Lauer worked 6.1 innings.
He heads back to Triple-A with a 2.60 ERA in 17.1 innings there this season. In the majors, he has a 5.87 ERA over 7.2 innings.
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