Dodgers Designate Cole Irvin After Bullpen Game, Recall Kyle Hurt From Triple-A

The Los Angeles Dodgers designated left-hander Cole Irvin for assignment and recalled right-hander Kyle Hurt from Triple-A Oklahoma City following roster adjustments. The changes addressed bullpen depth needs after Irvin consumed six innings in a Friday relief appearance against Boston. Will Klein's placement on the injured list with right elbow discomfort triggered the moves.

The Irvin Decision

Irvin, 32, appeared in his first Major League game in nearly two years on Friday, pitching six innings of relief at Dodger Stadium. Though he allowed six runs on eight hits and took the loss, manager Dave Roberts credited the veteran left-hander with fulfilling a critical role during a stretch without scheduled rest days. The Dodgers faced five more games before their next off-day, making innings consumption essential.

The southpaw's journey to Los Angeles included stops with Philadelphia, Oakland, Baltimore, and Minnesota between 2019 and 2024. He previously performed as a back-end starter for Oakland in 2021 and 2022, posting a 4.11 ERA across 62 starts. Following the 2024-25 offseason, Irvin signed with the KBO's Doosan Bears, where he made 28 starts with a 4.48 ERA before the Dodgers offered a minor league contract in the offseason. At Triple-A Oklahoma City, Irvin compiled a 3.58 ERA over 20 starts, though underlying metrics raised concerns with a 6.16 expected ERA and only 12.4 percent strikeout rate.

Fresh Arms and Roster Flexibility

Kyle Hurt's call-up provides the Dodgers with an established bullpen option after three months of performance in Los Angeles earlier this season. The 27-year-old right-hander posted a 4.59 ERA across 33 games before his mid-season demotion to Triple-A, though his 3.77 expected ERA suggested better underlying performance. Wyatt Mills also joined the roster from Oklahoma City on Saturday, having arrived on separate flights due to the unplanned nature of both transactions.

Irvin's designation for assignment opened a 40-man roster spot with the trade deadline arriving Monday, providing the Dodgers additional flexibility for potential acquisitions. Because the 32-year-old had exhausted his minor league options, designation represented the only available path. If unclaimed on waivers, Irvin retains the right to elect free agency rather than accept minor league assignment elsewhere.