In a move that came as a surprise to no one, the Dodgers have called up recently acquired utility infielder Chris Taylor from Triple-A Oklahoma City and designated one and done right-hander Nick Tepesch for assignment on Saturday afternoon.

Taylor, who was acquired by the Dodgers on June 19 from the Seattle Mariners in exchange for Dodgers 2010 first-round draft pick Zach Lee, appeared in only three games at OKC; however, he quickly made his mark by hitting .500 (6 for 12) with three runs scored, three doubles and three RBIs and hit safely in all three games in which he appeared. Prior to that the 25-year-old Virginia Beach, Virginia native hit .312 with 19 doubles, four triples, three home runs, 29 RBIs and 12 stolen bases in 63 games with Triple-A Tacoma. He also posted a .414 batting average with runners in scoring position (24-for-58) – an area in which the Dodgers are seriously struggling this season.

Chris Taylor
(Photo credit – Otto Greule Jr.)

Prior to his trade to the Dodgers, Taylor appeared in two games with the Mariners this year, going 1 for 3. Over the past three seasons he has appeared in 86 major league games for the Mariners (2014-2016) during which he hit a combined .240 with 11 doubles, one triple and 10 RBIs. Of those 86 games, he appeared in 76 games (66 starts) at shortstop, four games (two starts) at second base and one game at third base. It is speculated that Taylor will replace struggling utility infielder / outfielder Kiké Hernandez as the primary back-up shortstop to rookie phenom Corey Seager when needed.

Taylor was originally selected by the Mariners in the fifth round of the 2012 MLB First-Year Player Draft out of the University of Virginia. Through his five years in the minors Taylor posted a career mark of .316 with 104 doubles, 29 triples, 22 home runs and 183 RBIs in 410 games. He was named to the Advanced Single-A Cal League All-Star team in 2013 and the Triple-A Pacific Coast League All-Star team in 2014.

In his one start with the Dodgers on Friday night, Tepesch allowed five runs on seven hits (including one home run) while walking none and striking out three. He leaves the team with a less-than-stellar 11.25 earned run average. The Dodgers acquired the 27-year-old Kansas City, Missouri from the Texas Rangers on June 6. Over parts of three major league seasons Tepesch posted a 9-18 record and a 4.68 ERA in the 43 games in which he appeared (40 starts). He struck out 135 while walking 71 in his 223.0 major league innings pitched.

Should Tepesch clear waivers he could be assigned back to Triple-A OKC, although he refused such an assignment with the Rangers earlier this month, opting instead for free agency. He was subsequently outright released by the Rangers thus leading to his signing by the Dodgers on June 6.