For the second time in as many weeks, Dodger Minor League pitcher Nathan Eovaldi was pulled from his start for the Double-A Chattanooga Lookouts after only one inning of work. This time, however, it has been confirmed by the Chattanooga Times Free Press that Eovaldi is, in fact, headed to Los Angeles. Although is isn’t exactly clear who Eovaldi will replace on the Dodgers 25-man roster, speculation is that he will take the spot of struggling Dodger reliever Mike MacDougal, who is reportedly battling some type of flu-like illness.

Speculation is that Nathan Eovaldi will replace struggling Dodger reliever Mike MacDougal in the bullpen; however some believe that the move is being made to allow a little extra time for Chad Billingsley's strained groin to heal. (Photo by Tony Farlow - Four Seam Images)

Last week Eovaldi was pulled from his start after throwing only one inning for the Lookouts when Dodger starter Chad Billingsley reported that he had strained a groin muscle. The move was made in the event that Chad would be unable to make his April 22 start against the Astros in Houston. Chad went on to throw a bullpen session prior to that start and convinced Dodger pitching coach Rick Honeycutt and manager Don Mattingly that he was fine, but lasted only 3.1 innings in that start, allowing 9 runs (5 earned) on 4 hits, 4 walks, a run-scoring wild pitch, while striking out only 2. Two of the hits were home runs and one of those a grand slam. Although Mattingly insists that the strained groin had nothing to do with Chad’s poor outing, one has to wonder about this as a strained groin isn’t something that heals overnight.

Eovaldi is scheduled to be in uniform on Friday night when the Dodgers host the first place Washington Nationals at Dodger Stadium. The corresponding roster move will probably not be announced until just prior to game time. Stay tuned (again)…