Ferguson (0-1) took the loss Saturday as the Dodgers fell 4-1 to the Brewers, allowing one run on four hits and two walks over 2.2 innings while striking out two.

EDGE Analysis

As expected, the southpaw didn't give the Dodgers much length, throwing 51 pitches (36 strikes), and while Ferguson's line wasn't terrible, a lack of offensive support stuck him with the loss. The 22-year-old should return to a long relief role once Calyton Kershaw (shoulder) rejoins the rotation.

Manager Dave Roberts named Ferguson as the Dodgers' starter for Saturday's game against the Brewers, the Associated Press reports.

EDGE Analysis

After the Dodgers took an 8-5 loss in Friday's series opener Roberts tabbed Ferguson as the replacement for the injured Hyun-Jin Ryu (groin). Since Ferguson hasn't been asked to record more than four outs in any of his seven appearances this season and pitched just three days earlier, he's not expected to work long Saturday in what amounts to a bullpen game. Clayton Kershaw (shoulder) is poised to return from the injured list to start Monday against the Reds, so he'll effectively fill Ryu's next turn while Ferguson heads back to the bullpen.

Ferguson will build up to a three-inning workload this spring, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Ferguson was a starter almost exclusively in the minors but started in just three of his 29 big-league appearances last season. There was some thought that he'd stretch out as a starter this spring, but the team will apparently prepare him for a flexible, multi-inning role.

Manager Dave Roberts said Ferguson will work out as a starter during the early portion of spring training, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 22-year-old acted almost exclusively as a starter in the minors, but he was an integral part of the Dodgers' bullpen down the stretch last season. In 49 innings split between three starts and 26 relief appearances, Ferguson posted a 3.49 ERA and a 59:12 K:BB. The Dodgers will decide whether he'll be used as a starter or as a reliever sometime in early March, though it seems like a bit of a stretch that he'll find a spot in the team's well-established rotation.

Ferguson is not on the Dodgers' World Series roster.

EDGE Analysis

Ferguson spent both the NLDS and NLCS on the roster, appearing in six games and facing a combined 10 batters, retiring nine and walking one. He'll be replaced by Scott Alexander for the World Series.

Ferguson was charged with three runs on two hits and a walk while striking out one over two-thirds of an inning in Wednesday's 12-inning win over the Giants.

EDGE Analysis

Ferguson entered the contest in the eighth inning with a three-run lead, but he was unable to preserve it after serving up a three-run homer to Andrew McCutchen. The rookie southpaw has been transitioning to a late-inning role, and has generally been successful as a reliever (2.16 ERA with 30 strikeouts over 25 relief innings) even with Wednesday's hiccup. Ferguson joined a long list of Dodger relievers who recently coughed up a late-inning lead in Kenley Jansen's (chest) absence, so this rough outing shouldn't exclude him from a large closing committee.

Manager Dave Roberts said Sunday that Ferguson is being prepared to be able to pitch in back-to-back games in the next week or so, Andy McCullough of the Los Angeles Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Ferguson has taken on more high-leverage work in recent weeks, earning his first two career holds in his last four appearances. The 22-year-old took the ball from starter Walker Buehler in the eighth inning Saturday and tossed a perfect frame before JT Chargois ultimately blew the save. Ferguson's fastball has been up in the mid-90s since he shortened up from long relief and it's possible he eventually becomes a part of the closer committee in the absence of Kenley Jansen (irregular heartbeat), although the bullpen just became more crowded with the additions of Kenta Maeda and Ross Stripling.

Ferguson tossed three scoreless innings in long relief and was credited with his first MLB save in the Dodgers' 17-1 win over the Pirates on Monday. He gave up three hits and no walks and struck out a batter in the 52-pitch appearance.

EDGE Analysis

Given the Dodgers' 16-run advantage, Ferguson faced one of the least pressure-packed save chances you'll ever see, but it was a nice achievement for the rookie, who was celebrating his 22nd birthday. Perhaps more importantly, Ferguson's extended outing allowed the Dodgers to rest closer Kenley Jansen and top setup men Scott Alexander and Daniel Hudson, who were all used a day earlier against the Rockies. Ferguson's fantasy appeal has taken a hit since he surrendered his rotation spot after a June 17 start, but it looks like he'll stick around with the big club while he continues to thrive as a long man out of the bullpen. He has allowed just one run over nine innings in his three relief appearances.

Ferguson, who appeared out of the bullpen in relief of Clayton Kershaw (back) in Saturday's 8-3 win over the Mets, is expected to piggyback the southpaw again Thursday against the Cubs, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports. "[Working out of the bullpen is] something for [Ferguson] to grow on, that his pregame can be amended and he can be successful," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said.

EDGE Analysis

Ferguson had been in line to make his fourth start with the Dodgers on Saturday, but the surprise return of Kershaw, who was initially scheduled to make a rehab start in the minors the same day, resulted in an assignment to the bullpen. With Kershaw being eased back in for only three innings (55 pitches), Ferguson still ended up getting plenty of work in long relief, and made quite the impression. He tossed four scoreless frames and worked around a few jams while striking out six batters, matching his best total from any of his previous three starts. Kershaw will likely face fewer restrictions against the Cubs, so expect Ferguson to see a lighter innings count out of the bullpen in his next appearance.

Ferguson (0-1) allowed four runs (three earned) on two hits and one walk while striking out six across five innings to take the loss Sunday against the Giants.

EDGE Analysis

Ferguson allowed only three baserunners, but surrendered two home runs, the direct cause of all the runs he allowed. He was solid otherwise, generating an impressive 16 swinging strikes and starting 13 of the 19 batters he faced with a strike. After throwing only 57 and 65 pitches respectively in his first two starts of the season, Ferguson was allowed to throw 84 pitches in his start Sunday. That bodes well him pitching deeper into games if he remains in Dodgers' rotation moving forward.