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Dodgers move Maeda, All-Star Stripling to bullpen

Jayne Kamin-Oncea / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The Los Angeles Dodgers' pitching staff is so deep that they're moving two effective starters to the bullpen.

On Sunday, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters, including Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register, that both Ross Stripling and Kenta Maeda are moving to the 'pen.

The 28-year-old Stripling began the season as a reliever, but has been one of the Dodgers' most reliable starters since moving to the rotation in May.

In 28 appearances - 17 starts - Stripling owns a 2.62 ERA and 1.13 WHIP, which earned him his first career All-Star appearance last month.

Maeda has made all but two of his 22 appearances as a starter this year, and has authored a 3.80 ERA and 1.28 WHIP across 109 innings.

He also has a number of performance bonuses attached to his contract, including $1.5 million for each of his 25th, 30th and 32nd starts of the season.

Roberts added that Maeda will likely stay in the bullpen for the duration of the season, but said he'd like to get Stripling back into the rotation at some point.

"He's earned it," Roberts said of Stripling, according to Andy McCullough of the Los Angeles Times.

Hyun-Jin Ryu will start for the Dodgers on Wednesday in his return from a groin injury, Plunkett added.

Meanwhile, Los Angeles is currently without star closer Kenley Jansen - who's sidelined with a heart-related issue - along with relievers Tony Cingrani, Erik Goeddel, Daniel Hudson, and Josh Fields.

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