Mike

Kickham

Kickham spent nearly the entire 2021 season at Triple-A Oklahoma City, but did make one relief appearance for the Dodgers back in early May, allowing three runs over a pair of innings. The 32-year-old lefty should be able to land a minor-league deal this offseason.

Kickham gets the boot after allowing three runs over two innings in his lone appearance with the Dodgers on Sunday. The Dodgers have claimed Phil Bickford to take his spot on the 40-man roster.

The 32-year-old held a 7.71 ERA and 1.86 WHIP over 14 innings in 2020 with 17 strikeouts. Kickham with take the place Dustin May (arm) on the Dodgers roster. Corey Knebel was transferred to the 60-day injured to make room for the left-hander.

Kickham opened Cactus League play for the Dodgers with the two scoreless frames. After walking Elvis Andrus in the first inning, Andrus was thrown out attempting to steal second as Kickham struck out Pinder to end the frame with the double-play. He made his MLB debut with six appearances for the Red Sox in 2020, posting a 7.71 ERA in 14 innings. Kickham figures to be organizational depth at relief pitcher for Los Angeles and likely won’t make an impact in fantasy leagues his year.

Kickham chose free agency after being outright off the 40-man roster. The 31-year-old made his first appearance in the majors since 2014 this year, posting an ugly 7.71 ERA over two starts and four relief appearances.

Kickham didn’t issue a walk and struck out three, but he gave up seven hits, including a pair of home runs. The 31-year-old right-hander now has an 8.49 ERA through 11 2/3 innings of work this season.

The runs scored on back-to-back homers from Hunter Renfroe and Brandon Lowe in the fourth. Kickham allowed just one other hit and one walk, though he did hit a pair of batters. He’ll probably get to finish out the season in the Red Sox rotation.

The Red Sox were originally planning to have Kickham start tonight, but they chose to let Robinson Leyer open instead. Kickham came in for the second inning and immediately gave up three runs. That he was able to put together scoreless third and fourth innings afterwards means his career ERA dropped from 10.98 to 10.80 tonight (he gave up 37 earned runs in 30 1/3 innings for the Giants in 2013 & ’14).

It’ll be Robinson Leyer instead, but Kickham figures to handle an inning or two in what will essentially be a bullpen game for Boston. Kickham last made an appearance at the MLB level way back in 2014.

It will be the first major league appearance for Kickham since way back in 2014. He was called up Tuesday.