With exactly one week of the 2017 season now officially in the books, the Dodgers are facing their first significant roster move; this excluding placing left-handed starter Rich Hill on the (new) 10-day disabled list for a reoccurring blister issue and recalling right-handed reliever Josh Fields from Triple-A Oklahoma City to fill his vacancy on the team’s 25-man roster. (Note: Lefty Alex Wood was moved from the Dodgers bullpen and into Hill’s spot in the Dodgers starting rotation).

On Sunday, it was being widely reported that right-handed reliever Pedro Baez, who began the 2017 campaign on the 10-day DL for a right wrist contusion suffered when he was hit by a comebacker during spring training, was nearing a return after having made two rehab relief appearances at OKC and was eligible to come of the DL on Sunday, April 9.

The initial report was that the 29-year-old Bani, Dominican Republic native would join the team on Monday in Chicago, where the team will begin a three-game series against the defending World Series champion Cubs, but this was later amended indicating that Baez would instead rejoin the team when they return to Dodger Stadium for a wraparound weekend series against the Arizona Diamondbacks, who currently lead all of baseball with their 6-1 record.

In his two rehab appearances thus far – with one more now scheduled – Baez allowed two runs on one hit with one walk and one strikeout in 1.2 innings of work. And while this equates to a rather unattractive 10.80 ERA, the Dodgers are impressed with the quality of his pitches.

According to OKC Dodgers beat writer Jacob Unruh, Baez (apparently) no longer has pitch clock issues … we hope. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

The one knock on Baez and undoubtedly the number one reason why he fell out of grace with Dodger fans was the unbearable amount of time that he took between pitches, often 30 seconds or more. But with recent changes in the MLB rules requiring pitchers to take no more than 20 seconds between pitches, it appears that the 6′-0’/230-pound hard-throwing right-hander has successfully adjusted to the new rule.

All of this said, the burning question is, who will be optioned back to OKC (of designated for assignment) to make room for Baez on the Dodgers 25-man roster?

The most obvious guy would be Josh Fields who, according to True Blue LA’s Eric Stephen, still has one option remaining. The problem with this is that Fields has allowed no runs or hits with one walk and four strikeouts in his 1.1 innings of work. But even though the 31-year-old Athens, Georgia native has appeared in only two games since his April 7 call-up – both against the Colorado Rockies – it’s who he struck out that will make sending him back down to OKC a very difficult decision for the Dodgers.

In his first appearance on April 7, Fields struck out the side against reigning NL batting champ DJ LeMahieu, three-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger award winner Carlos Gonzalez, and two-time Silver Slugger award winner Nolan Arenado. And then on April 9, Fields struck out always dangerous slugger Mark Reynolds. Needless to say, these guys are among the best hitters in all of baseball.

Besides Fields, the only other relievers currently on the Dodgers 25-man roster with options remaining are left-hander Grant Dayton (one) right-hander Ross Stripling (two), and Baez himself (two). But here again, both Dayton and Stripling have been very good out of the Dodgers bullpen in the early goings this season – Dayton with a 0.00 ERA and two strikeouts through 3.0 innings of relief and Stripling a 2.70 ERA with five strikeouts in his 3.1 innings pitched.

And although some Dodger fans might prefer that the Dodgers designate hard-throwing right-hander Chris Hatcher for assignment (he is out of options), he has also pitched exceptionally well thus far this season with a 1.80 ERA and five strikeouts in his five innings of work.

So, who stay and who goes?

I’m sure glad it’s not my decision to make.