Full Breakdown
Dodgers Shuffle Bullpen: Halvorsen Optioned, Knack Recalled
8/13/2026, 8:17:12 AM
Core Move
The Los Angeles Dodgers sent right-hander Seth Halvorsen to Triple-A Oklahoma City after his major-league debut in the extra-inning win over the Kansas City Royals. The same day the club recalled right-hander Landon Knack from Triple-A to fill the vacant roster spot.
Background & Context
The roster change came amid a 13-game stretch without a rest day, leaving several relievers unavailable for the series finale. Halvorsen, acquired from the Colorado Rockies on July 20, had been working a rehab assignment in Triple-A before his call-up. Knack, who began the 2026 season on the injured list, was not activated until July 11 and spent the next ten days with the major-league club before being sent down on July 21.
Performance Data
- Halvorsen posted a 1.50 ERA over 24 minor-league innings this season, including a scoreless 6.1-inning stretch with eight strikeouts that earned him two saves for Oklahoma City. In his debut, he recorded a 101.3 mph fastball and retired the 10th-inning ghost runner on 11 pitches. His 2026 major-league line shows a 4.74 ERA in 19 Rockies innings, a 5.73 FIP, a 1.95 WHIP, a 17.7 % strikeout rate and a 15.6 % walk rate.
- Knack holds a career 4.33 ERA across 27 Dodgers appearances. In 2024 he logged a 3.65 ERA with 69 strikeouts in 69 innings; in 2025 his ERA rose to 4.89 over 42.1 innings. After returning from injury, he appeared in two games this season, allowing five runs in five innings and surrendering two homers. At Triple-A with the Oklahoma City Comets, he posted a 2-0 record, a 2.60 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP across five games (four starts), including a 5.1-inning outing on Aug. 5 that yielded one run.
Official Statement
Manager Dave Roberts said the move was needed to provide “coverage out of the bullpen” because several relievers were unavailable for the final game against the Royals. He added that Halvorsen is expected to return to the major-league roster at some point before the season concludes.
Outlook
Roberts’ comment suggests the Dodgers view Halvorsen’s option as a temporary measure, keeping him in Triple-A for further development while relying on Knack for immediate bullpen depth. The club’s schedule, lacking rest days, makes such flexibility a key component of its late-season strategy.
