Minor league update: McCarthy continues journey back to bigs
The following are updates on local baseball players at the minor league level.
Brandon McCarthy (Glendale native) Rancho Cucamonga Quakes pitcher: It’s been a long journey already and there’s even more ahead to get back to the big leagues for Los Angeles Dodger Brandon McCarthy.
The right-handed pitcher will make his debut at triple-A Oklahoma City on Wednesday in a rehab start, as the 32-year-old is attempting to come back after missing more than a year of playing time.
McCarthy tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow last April in the first few starts of the first year of a $48 million contract that is for four years.
The injury required season-ending Tommy John surgery and McCarthy hasn’t seen major league action since.
McCarthy made his return to the diamond June 11 for the Dodgers’ single-A affiliate Rancho Cucamonga Quakes.
The Quakes defeated host Lake Elsinore, 7-4, in a game in which McCarthy started and was held to a strict 50-pitch limit.
McCarthy allowed one run on one hit – a solo home run – in two innings, while allowing a walk.
Five days later, McCarthy saw action against San Jose and allowed two runs on four hits in three innings with four strikeouts.
McCarthy will make start No. 3 at the triple-A level against Texas Rangers affiliate Round Rock.
Los Angeles is hoping to have McCarthy back sometime in July.
David Olmedo-Barrera (St. Francis High, 2012) Bowling Green Hot Rods outfielder: It’s been a hot start to the season for the Cal State Fullerton product and Glendale resident.
Olmedo-Barrera made his 2016 debut after extended spring training on June 13 with the Tampa Bay Rays single-A affiliate Bowling Green of the Midwest League.
In seven games this season, the left-handed hitter is batting .414 with one homer, nine runs batted in and five runs scored.
Olmedo-Barrera put on a show in Bowling Green’s 6-2 victory over the Fort Wayne TinCaps on Saturday.
In that contest, the outfielder finished four for five with a homer, double, three RBI and one run scored.
In his final action on Sunday before a three-day break due to the Midwest League All-Star Game, Olmedo-Barrera drove in one run in six at-bats in a 13-0 victory over Fort Wayne. The victory marked the sixth straight win for Bowling Green.
Olmedo-Barrera and Bowling Green will be back in action Thursday versus visiting Fort Wayne.
Alonzo Gonzalez (Glendale Community College, 2012) Dunedin Blue Jays pitcher: It appears that the 24-year-old left-hander is starting to find his groove with the advanced class-A Dunedin Blue Jays.
The reliever had a rocky five-game stretch from June 15-29, allowing five runs in five appearances (7 1/3 innings) with a 1-2 mark.
Since then, though, Gonzalez has allowed only one run in five appearances that spans 4 1/3 innings with four strikeouts versus five walks and three hits.
Gonzalez is coming off one of his best efforts this season on June 14 versus Charlotte, which ended up being a 8-5 victory for the visiting Blue Jays.
Gonzalez fanned two in 1 2/3 innings of work with two strikeouts and no hits or walks allowed.
The effort came after Gonzalez allowed one run on two hits in one inning of work against St. Lucie. Gonzalez picked up the loss as St. Lucie defeated Dunedin, 3-2, in the 12th inning on a sacrifice fly.
For the season, Gonzalez is 2-4 with a 2.88 earned-run average in 20 games and 34 1/3 innings pitched. Gonzalez has allowed 30 hits and two homers, while he’s fanned 30 and walked 25. Opponents are also batting .244 versus Gonzalez.
