Cuban pitching sensation Pablo Fernandez, who the Dodgers signed to a minor league contract the same day that they signed Cuban infielder Hector Olivera to a major league contract, will not participate in the Cal League playoffs, which begin on Saturday for the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes at LoanMart Field.

Fernandez was a late scratch from a game he was scheduled to start back on August 23 for what was described as right elbow tightness. The 26-year-old Holguin, Cuba native did not return from the Quakes 7-day disabled list through Monday’s regular season finale, leading to rumors that his injury may be more serious than initially reported – up to and including the possible need for Tommy John surgery.

“I don’t believe so. They shut him down and sent him home to rest, nothing else I’ve heard further,” said Quakes pitching coach Bill Simas prior to Monday afternoon’s game. “I think it was just some tightness [in his elbow], I don’t think it was anything major.”

Fernandez was 2-1 with a 4.22 ERA in his four starts with the Quakes since his July 30 promotion from Great Lakes. (Photo credit – Amanda Ray)

Fernandez’s absence creates a potential problem for Simas and the Quakes – they currently have only two starting pitchers on their active roster with the playoffs beginning on Saturday; this the result of several recent Quakes promotions. On Sunday, Quakes right-hander Scott Barlow – who was initially scheduled to start on Monday for the Quakes – was promoted to the Triple-A Oklahoma City Dodgers to start their season finale. This left only Brock Stewart and Chase De Jong – both right-handers – in the Quakes starting rotation.

The Quakes also have 22-year-old right-hander Trevor Oaks available in their rotation, although he has made only five starts at the Advanced Single-A level since his August 14 promotion from Great Lakes. He does, however, have a 3-0 record and 3.04 ERA in those five starts, which suggests that he will probably be used in the postseason – depending on how deep the Quakes go, of course.

That being said and according to Simas, help is on the way.

“I believe Scott [Barlow] and [reliever Rob] Rogers will be back for the playoffs.”

There is also the possibility that the Quakes could call up a couple pitchers from the Low Single-A Great Lakes Loons, but they themselves are about to begin their own postseason play in the Midwest League. And while this itself wouldn’t necessarily preclude one of the Loons starters from being promoted to the Quakes, it makes such a move less likely to happen than if they had missed the playoffs. That said, the mere thought of seeing 19-year-old right-hander Grant Holmes – the Dodgers number one draft pick in 2014 – in a Quakes uniform for the Cal League playoffs is a bit intoxicating. Holmes finished the season with a team-high six wins and an impressive 3.15 ERA with the Loons. However, he also led the team with his 103.1 innings pitched, which could preclude him from any additional action this season.

But regardless of where it comes from, the Quakes definitely need some starting pitching depth if they hope to succeed in the postseason.