Dirks Traded Back to Braves

MORENO VALLEY >> Two days prior to his one-year anniversary in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization, former California Baptist University pitcher Caleb Dirks was traded back to the Atlanta Braves, the team that drafted him, on Thursday afternoon. Dirks was included in a five-player deal involving the Dodgers and Braves, with Los Angeles adding depth to its injury-depleted starting rotation by acquiring Bud Norris and outfielder Dian Toscano and a player to be named later. In return, Atlanta received Dirks and left-handed pitching prospect Philip Pfeifer. It reunites Dirks and the Braves, who drafted him in the 15th round at 463rd overall back in 2014. Atlanta originally traded the right-handed relief pitcher to the Dodgers on July 2nd, 2015, but it's easy to see why the Braves want him back. Over Dirks' two-and-a-half year minor league career, he has posted a 1.43 earned-run average, 1.19 WHIP and struck out 136 batters — to just 42 walks — over 113.2 innings pitched. Along with that, he has logged a 7-4 record, .220 opposing batting average and 17 saves. This season with the Tulsa Drillers, the Dodgers' double-A affiliate, Dirks owns a 1.44 ERA and 1.02 WHIP in 31.1 innings across 28 appearances. He has a 3-2 record, six saves in seven opportunities and 35 strikeouts to seven walks to go along with that. While the move separates Dirks and Trevor Oaks, his former Lancer teammate and best friend, it could be a good move for Dirks' career. The Braves are 26-52 this season and are looking for their prospects to quickly transition to the majors, which could make Dirks' path to the show in Atlanta much quicker than it would have been to Los Angeles.