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The Dodgers recalled right-hander Wyatt Mills from Triple-A Oklahoma City and designated reliever Jonathan Hernández for assignment prior to Tuesday’s game against the A’s, per Dodger Blue staff. It’s a quick turn of events for Hernández, who was just activated off the injured list days ago and made an immediate impact in his return.

Mills is back on the Dodgers roster for the second time this season. He originally joined the organization last August on a minor league contract and came to spring training as a non-roster invitee. The right-hander has carved out a reputation as a reliable middle-relief option with a deceptive delivery and a sharp slider that generates swings and misses. His first stint with the big league club this year gave the front office enough of a look to bring him back when a need arose. Mills profiles as a low-leverage or setup arm — not flashy, but functional, which is exactly what a bullpen needs over the grind of a full season.

The DFA of Hernández is the part of this move that really jumps off the page. Just days ago, we were writing about him coming off the IL, looking healthy, and contributing to a 17-hit barrage over Oakland. He’d been a useful piece in the Dodgers’ bullpen when healthy, bringing upper-90s velocity and a power sinker that could induce ground balls in key spots. But the Dodgers clearly saw something — whether it was a roster construction issue, a performance concern they wanted to get ahead of, or simply a numbers game with other arms they prefer — that made this the call. Hernández’s career has been marked by tantalizing stuff but inconsistent results and durability questions dating back to his time with the Rangers, where he underwent Tommy John surgery and spent significant time rebuilding his arm. When he’s right, the raw talent is obvious. Staying right has been the challenge.

This is a cold business move, and I think it says something about where the Dodgers stand with their bullpen depth right now. They have arms in Oklahoma City they trust — Mills being one of them — and they’re not going to hold a 40-man roster spot out of sentimentality for a guy who just came back if they believe there’s a better option available. With the trade deadline approaching, roster flexibility matters. Every spot counts. DFA’ing Hernández opens the door for the front office to either carry him through waivers and outrightly assign him, or simply move on entirely if another team claims him.

For the Dodgers, this is a reminder that the roster is always in flux. Mills gives them a fresh arm in the bullpen tonight, and the front office keeps its options open heading into July. It’s not a blockbuster move, but it’s the kind of behind-the-scenes roster management that wins games over a 162-game season. The Dodgers clearly have a plan for their bullpen, and right now, Mills fits it better than Hernández does.

Source(s): Staff (Dodger Blue) | First reported: June 30, 2026 10:05 PM UTC

God Bless and Go Dodgers