Mike

Antonini

Antonini has posted a 4.26 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 15/5 K/BB ratio in 19 innings this season at the Triple-A level. He’ll operate as a lefty specialist in the big leagues.

Antonini was called up from the minors on Tuesday and didn’t make an appearance during his brief stint with the big club. He’ll return to a 4.26 ERA in 19 innings at the Triple-A level.

The 26-year-old southpaw is now protected from the Rule 5 Draft. Antonini, who was acquired from the Mets last winter in the Chin-lung Hu trade, posted a 4.01 ERA and 131/42 K/BB ratio over 148 innings this season as a starter at the Double-A level.

Antonini was designated for assignment last week to make room for Brandon League and Shane Victorino on the active roster. He’ll accept a minor league assignment after going through waivers unclaimed.

The move clears a spot on the 40-man roster, as the Dodgers make room for new acquisitions Brandon League and Shane Victorino. Antonini has a 5.12 ERA and 54/35 K/BB ratio over 77 1/3 innings as a starter and reliever this season with Triple-A Albuquerque. There’s a chance he’ll pass through waivers unclaimed.

Antonini was up for the day on Monday, but didn’t make an appearance. Nathan Eovaldi will be called up from the minors Tuesday to take his spot on the roster.

Antonini had a brief stint with the Dodgers late last month, but didn’t make an appearance. The 26-year-old southpaw has a 5.31 ERA and 36/18 K/BB ratio across eight starts and one relief appearance at the Triple-A level this year. He’ll likely be sent right back down when Nathan Eovaldi is called up from the minors to start Tuesday.

It’s hard to believe Antonini lasted to the 18th round when he’s a lefty with strong command capable of hitting 90 mph on the gun. He already qualifies as one of the Mets’ better starting-pitching prospects, though he’s probably not going to get a whole lot better than he is now.

Antonini posted a 4.49 ERA and 131/31 K/BB ratio in 168 innings between Double-A Binghampton and Triple-A Buffalo this past season. The 25-year-old southpaw has averaged 7.0 K/9 and 2.1 BB/9 over four seasons in the minor leagues, but he is unlikely to get much of a sniff as a starter in the majors.