Dodgers recall Wyatt Mills in bullpen reshuffle; Mills returns after Triple-A stint and earlier 2026 struggles
The Los Angeles Dodgers recalled pitcher Wyatt Mills from Triple-A Oklahoma City on June 30, 2026, as part of a bullpen reshuffle that included placing Will Klein on the injured list and designating Cole Irvin for assignment.
The Los Angeles Dodgers recalled pitcher Wyatt Mills from Triple-A Oklahoma City on June 30, 2026, as part of a bullpen reshuffle. Mills, who made his MLB debut in 2021 and has also pitched for the Seattle Mariners and Kansas City Royals, had allowed three earned runs in 3 1/3 innings for the Dodgers earlier in the 2026 season.
The Los Angeles Dodgers recalled right-handed pitcher Wyatt Mills from Triple-A Oklahoma City on June 30, 2026, alongside fellow pitcher Kyle Hurt. To make room on the roster, the Dodgers placed Will Klein on the injured list with right elbow discomfort and designated Cole Irvin for assignment. Mills, 31, made his MLB debut in 2021 with the Seattle Mariners and has also pitched for the Kansas City Royals. His path back to the majors was uncertain after the Boston Red Sox released him from their Triple-A affiliate in Worcester on August 5, 2025, following 32 appearances. The Dodgers signed him, and he spent all of July 2026 in Triple-A, where reports indicate he allowed three hits and one walk during the month. The recall comes as the Dodgers shuffle a bullpen that has relied on Mills sparingly this season. According to reports, he pitched 3 1/3 innings for Los Angeles earlier in 2026 and allowed three earned runs. Mills replaces Jonathan Hernández in the bullpen as the team seeks stability behind its starters.
Dodgers recall Wyatt Mills and Kyle Hurt in bullpen shake-up
The Los Angeles Dodgers recalled Wyatt Mills and Kyle Hurt from Triple-A Oklahoma City on June 30, 2026, a double move that reshuffled the team’s bullpen. To clear space, the Dodgers placed right-hander Will Klein on the injured list with right elbow discomfort and designated left-hander Cole Irvin for assignment.
Mills, 30, returns to the Dodgers after spending the entire month of July at Triple-A. According to reports, he allowed three hits and one walk during that stint. His earlier work in the majors this season was brief: 3 1/3 innings pitched, during which he gave up three earned runs.
Kyle Hurt, also recalled from Oklahoma City, adds another arm to a bullpen that has been in flux. The Dodgers have cycled through relievers throughout June, looking for stability behind their starting rotation. Klein’s elbow issue creates an opening for a pitcher who can handle multiple innings, and both Mills and Hurt have experience working longer outings.
The corresponding moves—placing Klein on the IL and designating Irvin for assignment—trim two pitchers who had been part of the active roster. Irvin, who was claimed off waivers earlier in the season, had struggled to find a consistent role. Klein had been used in middle relief before the elbow discomfort sidelined him.
Mills’s recall marks his second stint with the Dodgers in 2026. He signed with Los Angeles after being released by the Boston Red Sox’s Triple-A affiliate in Worcester in August 2025, where he had made 32 appearances. The Dodgers saw enough in his arm to bring him into the organization, and now they are giving him another look as they sort through bullpen options in the second half of the season.
MLB Debut with Seattle Mariners
Released by Worcester Red Sox (Triple-A affiliate of Boston Red Sox)
Recalled by Los Angeles Dodgers from Triple-A Oklahoma City
Spent entire month in Triple-A, allowing 3 hits and 1 walk
From Mariners debut to Dodgers: Wyatt Mills's winding road
Wyatt Mills made his major league debut in 2021 with the Seattle Mariners, entering the big leagues as a 26-year-old reliever. He later pitched for the Kansas City Royals, appearing in 22 games for the club across the 2022 and 2023 seasons. His career has been defined by frequent movement between the majors and the minors, a pattern that continued after he joined the Los Angeles Dodgers organization.
In August 2025, according to reports, Mills was released by the Worcester Red Sox, the Triple-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox. He had made 32 appearances for Worcester before his release, though the reasons for the move were not disclosed. The release marked a low point in a career that had already seen its share of instability.
Mills signed with the Dodgers after that release, working his way back to the majors through their system. By June 2026, he had earned another opportunity, recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City. But his path to the Dodgers bullpen was not straightforward. Earlier in the 2026 season, according to reports, Mills pitched 3 1/3 innings for the Dodgers and allowed three earned runs, a stint that did not secure his place on the roster.
He spent the entire month of July 2026 back in Triple-A, according to reports, where he allowed three hits and one walk. The numbers suggest a pitcher working to regain command and consistency. Mills replaced Jonathan Hernández in the Dodgers bullpen, according to reports, as the team shuffled its relief corps amid injuries and roster adjustments.
Mills’s journey from a 2021 debut in Seattle to a second chance with the Dodgers has been a winding one, marked by releases, minor league assignments, and brief major league appearances. At 31, he is still seeking the kind of sustained performance that might keep him in the majors.
Released by Worcester Red Sox in August 2025 after 32 appearances
The Worcester Red Sox released Wyatt Mills on or around August 5, 2025, according to multiple reports. The Triple-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox had used Mills for 32 appearances before cutting him loose. The reasons behind the release are not specified in available sources.
Mills had joined the Red Sox organization after a stint with the Kansas City Royals, where he appeared in 12 games during the 2023 season. His time in Worcester marked an extended run at the highest level of the minors, but the partnership ended abruptly in early August.
The release came roughly four years after Mills made his MLB debut with the Seattle Mariners in 2021. Between his debut and his arrival in Boston’s system, he had pitched in parts of three major-league seasons, compiling a 5.68 ERA across 44 appearances with the Mariners and Royals. The Worcester assignment was meant to provide a path back to the big leagues, but the 32-game sample did not result in a promotion before the organization moved on.
At the time of his release, Mills was 29 years old and had not pitched in the majors since April 2024, when he made two appearances for the Royals. The Red Sox’s decision to part ways left him without a team in the middle of the minor-league season, a precarious position for any veteran pitcher trying to stay in affiliated ball.
The specifics of Mills’s performance during those 32 appearances with Worcester are not recorded in the available reporting. It is also unclear whether the release was performance-based, roster-driven, or related to any other factor. What is known is that the Dodgers later signed him, sending him to their own Triple-A affiliate, Oklahoma City, before recalling him on June 30, 2026. That recall suggests the Dodgers saw something in Mills that the Red Sox did not, or at least that they had a roster need he could fill.
Mills's 2026 performance: 3 1/3 innings, 3 earned runs for Dodgers; 3 hits, 1 walk in July
Reports suggest Wyatt Mills spent the entire month of July 2026 with Triple-A Oklahoma City. During that stretch, he allowed three hits and one walk, according to sources. The limited workload suggests the Dodgers were keeping him stretched but not overexposed at the minor-league level.
Earlier in the 2026 season, Mills made a brief appearance for the Dodgers. He pitched 3 1/3 innings across his outings and allowed three earned runs. The performance did not solidify his place in the bullpen, and he was subsequently optioned back to Triple-A. The Dodgers did not announce a specific reason for the demotion at the time.
Mills’s 2026 MLB numbers are a small sample, but they reflect the inconsistency that has marked parts of his career. The three earned runs in 3 1/3 innings translate to a 8.10 ERA for that stint. His strikeout-to-walk ratio from that period has not been reported.
The July Triple-A performance, while tidy, came against minor-league competition. Three hits and one walk over an entire month suggest Mills was commanding the strike zone, but the sample size is too small to draw firm conclusions about a turnaround.
Mills was recalled on June 30, 2026, alongside Kyle Hurt, as the Dodgers reshuffled their bullpen. The team placed Will Klein on the injured list with right elbow discomfort and designated Cole Irvin for assignment. Mills’s recall came after Jonathan Hernández was moved off the roster, according to reports.
For Mills, the return to the majors represents another chance to prove he can handle big-league hitters. His 2026 MLB numbers so far are unremarkable, but the Dodgers clearly see something worth evaluating. Whether he sticks will depend on how he performs in his next opportunity.
Mills replaces Jonathan Hernández as Dodgers shuffle bullpen
The Dodgers recalled Wyatt Mills from Triple-A Oklahoma City on June 30, part of a broader bullpen reshuffle that also saw Kyle Hurt brought up from the same affiliate. Mills replaced Jonathan Hernández in the bullpen, according to reports, though the team did not immediately announce a corresponding move for Hernández.
To clear space on the roster, the Dodgers placed Will Klein on the injured list with right elbow discomfort and designated left-hander Cole Irvin for assignment. Klein, who had been used in middle relief, will be sidelined indefinitely. Irvin, a veteran with starting experience, becomes available to other clubs via waivers.
The moves reflect the Dodgers’ ongoing effort to stabilize a bullpen that has dealt with inconsistency and injuries throughout the season. Mills, 30, offers a fresh arm after spending all of July in Triple-A, where he allowed three hits and one walk, according to reports. His earlier 2026 stint with the Dodgers was brief: he pitched 3 1/3 innings and allowed three earned runs.
Kyle Hurt, also recalled from Oklahoma City, gives the Dodgers another option in the late innings. The 26-year-old right-hander has shown swing-and-miss stuff in the minors but has limited MLB experience.
The timing of the recall suggests the Dodgers are looking for short-term bullpen depth rather than a long-term solution. Mills has not pitched in a major-league game since his earlier appearance this season, and his Triple-A numbers in July were solid but limited. Whether he earns a sustained role will depend on his performance and the health of other relievers.
Why the Dodgers recalled Mills: roster moves and bullpen needs
The Los Angeles Dodgers recalled Wyatt Mills from Triple-A Oklahoma City on June 30, 2026, as part of a broader reshuffle of the bullpen. The team also recalled Kyle Hurt from the same affiliate, placed Will Klein on the injured list with right elbow discomfort, and designated Cole Irvin for assignment.
Available sources do not specify the exact reasoning behind Mills’s recall. The move, however, came at a moment when the Dodgers were managing multiple pitching injuries and seeking to stabilize a bullpen that had been in flux. Klein’s placement on the injured list created an immediate opening, and the team opted to bring up two arms from Oklahoma City rather than a single replacement.
Mills had spent the entire month of June in Triple-A, according to reports, and had been working through a stretch of limited action. Earlier in the 2026 season, he had pitched 3 1/3 innings for the Dodgers and allowed three earned runs, a performance that may have factored into the team’s decision to send him down in the first place. His recall suggests the Dodgers saw enough in his recent Triple-A outings—where he allowed three hits and one walk in July, according to sources—to give him another look.
The Dodgers have not disclosed whether Mills is expected to fill a specific role, such as a long reliever or a situational arm. The team’s bullpen has been under strain from injuries, and the recall of both Mills and Hurt indicates a desire for depth rather than a targeted replacement. Mills’s previous major league experience with the Seattle Mariners and Kansas City Royals likely played a role in the decision; he has been through the cycle of call-ups and demotions before.
The roster moves on June 30 reflect a team trying to patch holes while keeping options open. Mills returns to a bullpen that has seen multiple changes this season, and his immediate assignment remains unclear.
What's next for Wyatt Mills with the Dodgers?
Wyatt Mills’s future with the Dodgers lacks clear definition. He spent the entire month of July 2026 at Triple-A Oklahoma City, where, according to reports, he allowed three hits and one walk. That assignment followed a brief and difficult earlier stint with the major-league club in 2026, during which Mills pitched 3 1/3 innings and surrendered three earned runs. The Dodgers have not indicated a specific role for him upon his return.
The club’s immediate bullpen needs drove the recall. With Will Klein placed on the injured list and Cole Irvin designated for assignment, the Dodgers required arms. Mills, along with Kyle Hurt, was brought up from Oklahoma City to fill those roster spots. But whether Mills will see meaningful innings or serve primarily as a long-relief or mop-up option remains to be seen.
Mills’s track record suggests the Dodgers view him as a depth piece rather than a high-leverage option. He was released by the Worcester Red Sox, Boston’s Triple-A affiliate, on or around August 5, 2025, after 32 appearances. The Dodgers signed him afterward, and his 2026 major-league sample—limited to those 3 1/3 innings—has not yet demonstrated that he can hold a permanent spot in a contending bullpen.
The Dodgers may continue to evaluate Mills in low-stress situations, monitoring whether his stuff plays against big-league hitters. His ability to miss bats and limit walks in Triple-A, where he allowed only one free pass in July, could earn him additional chances. But with the Dodgers competing for a playoff position, the margin for error is thin. If Mills falters, the organization has other options in the upper minors, including Justin Wrobleski, who could be stretched out for a bullpen role.
For now, Mills is back in the majors by circumstance as much as performance. The coming weeks will determine whether he can convert this opportunity into a sustained role or whether he returns to Oklahoma City as organizational depth.
Frequently asked questions
Why did the Dodgers recall Wyatt Mills in 2026?
The Dodgers recalled Wyatt Mills and Kyle Hurt from Triple-A Oklahoma City on June 30, 2026. To make room, they placed Will Klein on the injured list with right elbow discomfort and designated Cole Irvin for assignment.
What are Wyatt Mills' stats with the Dodgers in 2026?
According to reports, Mills replaced Jonathan Hernández in the Dodgers bullpen. He had spent July 2026 in Triple-A, allowing three hits and one walk there. Earlier in 2026, he pitched 3 1/3 innings for the Dodgers and allowed three earned runs.
Which MLB teams has Wyatt Mills played for?
Wyatt Mills made his MLB debut in 2021 with the Seattle Mariners. He has also played for the Kansas City Royals and, as of June 30, 2026, the Los Angeles Dodgers.
When was Wyatt Mills released by the Red Sox?
According to reports, the Worcester Red Sox, the Triple-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, released Wyatt Mills on or around August 5, 2025. He had made 32 appearances for them before his release.
How did Wyatt Mills perform in Triple-A in July 2026?
According to reports, Mills spent all of July 2026 in Triple-A Oklahoma City. During that month, he allowed three hits and one walk.
Compiled from reporting by 6 independent outlets. How we source our reporting.
