​The Los Angeles Dodgers announced a roster move ahead of Saturday’s matchup with the Arizona Diamondbacks, signaling another shake-up in the bullpen. Landon Knack has been activated to join the big-league club, returning to action after not pitching at the majors this season. In a corresponding move, Kyle Hurt was optioned down to Triple-A. To create a spot on the 40-man roster for Knack, Los Angeles designated left-hander Charlie Barnes for assignment.
Knack’s journey back to the majors has been a longer road. He sustained a right chest injury, an intercostal strain, after four spring appearances with the Dodgers. He was placed on the 60-day injured list in late April to create a roster slot and spent several months working at the Dodgers’ complex in Arizona while rehabbing before he was assigned to Triple-A Oklahoma City in late June. In the minor leagues this season, Knack has appeared in three games, totaling seven innings pitched. He has allowed three earned runs, recorded 10 strikeouts, and walked four, surrendering nine hits. While the results have been solid enough to generate optimism about his major-league potential, Knack owns a 3.86 ERA across those outings. The organization has seen enough to believe he can contribute in a variety of roles, whether serving as a reliever or making spot starts when needed.
Last year, Knack spent a broader stretch in the majors, appearing in 10 games and making three starts. His major-league line of a 4.89 ERA reflected some inconsistency, but the Dodgers view him as a multi-faceted pitcher with the bullpen versatility and the stamina to handle spot-start duties when required. The current activation marks the club’s ongoing assessment of Knack’s readiness and ceiling at the big-league level.
Kyle Hurt, meanwhile, has been a surprising contributor since his call-up, initially stepping into a prominent role after Edwin Diaz’s placement on the injured list. Hurt quickly became a trusted option for manager Dave Roberts, delivering innings and flexibility out of the bullpen. More recently, however, his production has leveled off. Across 31.1 innings, Hurt owns a 4.88 ERA and a slightly negative bWAR (-0.2), indicating that while he has shown promise, his results have not consistently reflected the organization’s high expectations. These numbers, combined with the Dodgers’ plans to take a closer look at Knack, pushed Hurt to the minors as part of a reset. If he can recapture the form that made him a trusted piece earlier in the season, Hurt remains in the mix as a potential call-up option should injuries or need arise again.
The Dodgers also announced that Wyatt Mills, who is being moved off the 40-man roster via waivers, will be subject to exposed waivers and could land with another organization. Mills’ recent track record—an earned run average of 6.23 across five games—already heightens the likelihood that the Dodgers will prefer to keep him in the minors if he clears waivers. Even if Mills is claimed by another team, the Dodgers would still retain the option to continue developing him in their farm system if he clears waivers or lands elsewhere.
From a strategic standpoint, the club’s decision to add Knack to the active roster and designate Barnes for assignment signals a broader emphasis on evaluating Knack’s arm in a major-league setting. The Dodgers want to see what they have in him under game conditions, particularly given the uncertainties in the bullpen and the need for flexible pitching options as the season progresses. Knack’s prior spring training experience and spring-to-summer rehab arc have given the organization a sense of his development trajectory, which they now want to test at the major-league level.
Knack’s return to the majors adds depth to a bullpen that has faced its fair share of challenges this season. If he can deliver quality innings and command, he could become a valuable multi-inning option or a long reliever who can bridge the gap to the late innings. The organization’s willingness to explore Knack as a longer-term asset reflects confidence in his repertoire and adaptability.
Meanwhile, Hurt’s momentary setback offers a chance for a reset in the minors. The organization will monitor his readiness and use him again as a potential depth piece in the future, particularly if injuries crop up or if a need for a right-handed reliever arises in the major-league bullpen. For now, Hurt’s assignment provides the Dodgers with an immediate avenue to regroup and evaluate his current form while keeping Knack’s progress under close watch.
In sum, the Dodgers’ latest roster maneuver is rooted in strategic evaluation: activate Landon Knack to gain a clearer understanding of his major-league potential, grant Hurt an opportunity to regroup in the minors, and use Barnes’ designation as a roster-clarifying move. The club’s ongoing assessment of Knack—coupled with Hurt’s return to the minors and Mills’ waivers—reflects a broader effort to balance immediate bullpen needs with long-term development. As the season unfolds, the Dodgers will be watching closely to determine how Knack’s talent translates to performance in high-leverage situations and whether Hurt or Mills can reestablish themselves as reliable options for the team’s pitching staff.