Hatcher held the Cubs scoreless over two innings Thursday, striking out three in a 4-0 loss.

EDGE Analysis

The 32-year-old has gotten off to a hot start during the regular season (1.29 ERA over seven innings) after struggling mightily during spring training. His seven innings of work have come in four appearances, so it appears manager Dave Roberts views Hatcher as an innings-eater as opposed to a high-leverage reliever. The righty posted a 5.53 ERA and 1.50 WHIP in 37 appearances last season, so fantasy owners shouldn't buy into his hot start quite yet.

Hatcher was named one of the Dodgers' relievers to open the season, The Orange County Register's Bill Plunkett reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 32-year-old struggled this spring, posting a 5.91 ERA over 10.2 innings. His lack of minor league options was presumably the reason behind his selection for the 25-man roster. Hatcher will serve as a middle reliever for the club to begin the season.

Hatcher (oblique) is in camp and will compete for a bullpen job this spring, Cary Osbourne of Dodger Insider reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hatcher was shut down last year after suffering a grade 3 oblique strain. The results were not pretty before the injury as he was hit to the tune of a 5.53 ERA and 1.50 WHIP in 40.2 innings. The difference between last year's totals and the sub-four ERAs he posted in 2014 and 2015 was his inability to keep the ball in the yard (1.8 HR/9 in 2016). Now healthy, Hatcher will compete for a middle relief role in Dodgers' bullpen this season.

Hatcher signed a one-year deal with the Dodgers on Thursday to avoid arbitration.

EDGE Analysis

Hatcher might have been in danger of a non-tender from the Dodgers, but he'll return to Los Angeles in 2017 trying to show his immense struggles last season were an aberration. He finished 2016 with a 5.53 ERA in 40.2 innings, striking out 43 and allowing eight homers.

Hatcher (oblique) is unlikely to pitch again this season according to manager Dave Roberts, Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hatcher apparently suffered a Grade 3 strain, and although his original timetable had him in line for a mid-September approach, it appears the Dodgers are leaning towards shutting down the reliever -- a move that is a bit surprising considering their need for bullpen help.

Hatcher (oblique) was transferred to the 60-day DL on Thursday, SportsNetLA's Alanna Rizzo reports.

EDGE Analysis

He last pitched Tuesday, so the earliest he could return would be Sept. 18, with 14 games left in the season, so it's possible his season is over. Hatcher came into the year with peripherals that suggested he could be a solid late-inning arm for the club, but that never materialized, as his K-rate dipped and his walk rate spiked. His ERA currently sits at 5.53 with an unsightly 1.50 WHIP.

Hatcher was placed on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday, with a strained left oblique, Eric Stephen of True Blue LA reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hatcher's outing Tuesday (three runs on two hits and a walk without recording an out) wasn't very impressive, but it's certainly possible the oblique issue played a part in it. The official timeline remains unclear, but the team replaced him on the 25-man roster with Charlie Culberson, who was recalled from Triple-A and will start at shortstop Wednesday.

Hatcher has pitched 8.1 innings across five games in June, allowing two earned runs in that time.

EDGE Analysis

Although Hatcher's ERA is 4.71, he's improved greatly after giving up 10 earned runs in his first 11 innings of the season. He's allowed just five runs In the 17.2 innings that followed, good for a 2.55 ERA in that time. However, Hatcher's 13.5 percent walk rate leaves much to be desired, especially after 2015's mark of 7.8 percent.

Hatcher retired the only hitter he faced in Monday's loss to the Mets, but his ERA still sits at a bloated 6.75.

EDGE Analysis

Hatcher appears to no longer be the go-to guy in the eighth inning in front of Kenley Jansen. That guy would appear to be Pedro Baez or perhaps even Adam Liberatore or Joe Blanton, though the Dodgers bullpen sans Jansen remains "fluid" to put it nicely.

Hatcher was reinstated from the paternity list Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Hatcher returned to the Dodgers a day after being placed on paternity leave Thursday. The 31-year-old right-hander missed one game and will be available out of the bullpen for Friday night's game against San Francisco. In a corresponding move, the Dodgers optioned C/IF Austin Barnes to Triple-A Oklahoma City.