White disappointed, but understands his demotion

LOS ANGELES » A crowded rotation and a bullpen meltdown prompted the Dodgers to option Mitch White back to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Wednesday in a practical move with longterm implications.

White

With Andrew Heaney returning Wednesday from a second bout of left shoulder inflammation, somebody needed to give up a rotation spot. That somebody became White, despite his 3.70 ERA in 15 appearances, 10 of those in the Dodgers' rotation.

The 27-year-old has given up two runs or less in four of his last five outings, although he did have a sixrun clunker in that mix on July 12 at St. Louis.

To his credit, White was understanding of the move, even if he didn't completely like it.

“It (stinks), obviously; I'd rather be here,” White said from the Dodgers' clubhouse Wednesday morning. “But I understand and it totally makes sense in the long-term plan.”

Not only was White sent down, so was left-hander Garrett Cleavinger, who was charged with six runs (two unearned) over the final two innings of Tuesday's 8-3 loss to the Washington Nationals. In addition to Heaney being activated, right-hander Jake Reed was called up to bolster the bullpen.

“It was difficult,” Roberts said of White's option. “I preach performance and kind of meritocracy, and this instance, with the business side of things and Mitchell having options, it's part of kind of maximizing your roster.”

Roberts appreciated that White was understanding of the situation while not necessarily liking it at the same time.

“I think there is a professionalism to Mitch saying he understands it and there is a competitor part that says `I don't agree with it,'” Roberts said. “That was a hard conversation. I didn't expect him to agree with it, or like it, and he has shown, by performance, that his sentiments are right on.”

With White shuttling back and forth between Triple-A, while possibly being used as a starter or a reliever down the road, it is shades of former Dodgers righthander Ross Stripling, who was valuable in a swing role during his time with the club. Roberts agreed with the comparison.

“They're not making dumb decisions,” White said of having to head back and forth to Oklahoma City while waiting for the next call to return. “It all makes sense objectively and unfortunately, I have to be the one that does it. You get used to it. Just go with it.”

Arms on the way

While Tuesday's trade deadline affords the chance for the Dodgers to bolster the bullpen with a deal, Roberts continues to look forward to the contingent of proven relievers on the way back from injury.

Right-hander Tommy Kahnle (forearm) remains in the team's plans and is rehabbing at the team's facility in Arizona with a Sept. 1 projected return date. Right-hander Blake Treinen (shoulder) could return in late August, according to Roberts.

And right-hander Brusdar

Graterol (shoulder) is in line to come back before Treinen, signaling a potential mid-August return.

“Those (pitchers) are acquisitions within itself,” Roberts said. “Yeah, to expect all of them to come back and hit the ground running, probably unrealistic, but I still believe most of those guys, the leverage guys, that's a probable expectation.”

Two Turners

As expected, third baseman Justin Turner was back in the starting lineup Wednesday after missing the past five games with abdominal tightness. It put him back alongside shortstop Trea Turner on the infield.

With Nationals lefthander Patrick Corbin on the mound, it afforded the Dodgers a chance to rest Max Muncy, who struck out three times Tuesday. Muncy is batting .102 (5 for 49) with a .437 OPS over his last 15 games dating to July 6.

Justin Turner's injury came just as he was emerging from a slow start with a batting average as low as .206 and an OPS of .611 as recently as June 17. Turner has six of his 19 multi-hit games in July, including a season-high tying four hits July 15 against the Angels.

Also

Reed's return to the roster comes after he was selected off waivers from the New York Mets on July 13. He pitched in six games for the Dodgers last season with a 3.38 ERA, but has been in the Tampa Bays Rays and Mets organizations since. … Trayce Thompson was in the starting lineup for the ninth consecutive game while playing in center field. Cody Bellinger was given a day off against a lefty starter.