Dodgers Had Simple Message to Recently Acquired Journeyman Reliever
The Dodgers had a busy offseason spending over $1.3 billion to put together a star-studded roster. But among the many moves were some minor trades that ended up flying under the radar.
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Two of those trades were with the New York Yankees, and the second of the two sent left-handed pitcher Caleb Ferguson to New York for left-handed reliever Matt Gage and pitching prospect Christian Zazueta Jr.
Gage recently caught up with Doug McKain of Dodgers Nation, and told him what the team’s pitching coaches said to him after joining L.A. “Honestly these guys just told me to throw strikes,” Gage said. “If we work on some stuff here and there, that’d be great, but really these guys just want me to compete with my stuff. Fastball, cutter, slider, mix in a little changeup. Really it’s just, go attack and see what happens.”
Gage has made four Cactus League appearances thus far, allowing three hits and two earned runs while striking out three in four innings of work.
The 31-year-old has just 16 career appearances at the MLB level, but has been dominant, sporting a 1.83 ERA in his 19.2 innings of work.
Gage is unlikely to open the season on the active roster, but should have a real shot at making the roster at some point considering he’s one of just three left-handed relievers on the 40-man roster.
If Alex Vesia and/or Ryan Yarbrough struggle or come down with an injury, Gage would likely be the top option to join the team as long as he pitches well over the rest of spring and in the minor leagues.
