Move over Garrett Cleavinger.
Former Oregon Duck pitcher Jake Reed became the second Duck to pitch for the Los Angeles Dodgers this season and one of many Ducks in the Major Leagues this year. Reed was called up from AAA Oklahoma City July 6.
With OKC, Reed had a 2.61 earned run average in nine appearances. The Dodgers made sure Reed made it into a game right away when he got the call from the bullpen against Miami. Reed gave up a run in 2/3 of an inning.
But Reed impressed enough as he was called upon to start a game the next day as the opener. Unfortunately, Reed gave up a homer to Garrett Cooper in the first inning in the 9-6 loss to the Marlins.
After a few days of rest, Reed finally made his Dodger Stadium debut where he was asked to get Los Angeles out of a ninth-inning jam against Arizona. Reed walked Josh Reddick but then struck out Nick Ahmed to end the inning.
In his fourth overall appearance, Reed worked a perfect ninth to end a 22-1 rout over the Diamondbacks.
It’s been a long and interesting ride for Reed, who has played for three different organizations in the last calendar year. He was drafted by Minnesota in 2016 and after four minor leagues seasons, Reed elected for free agency last November. He signed with the Angels and was assigned to their AAA team in Salt Lake City. But Reed was released June 2. The Dodgers signed him two days later.
As for Cleavinger, the left-handed reliever is still plugging along with a 2-3 record and a 2.25 ERA in his 18 appearances for the Dodgers.