Stephen Fife came over as part of a three-team trade in 2011 when the Dodgers traded outfield prospect, Trayvon Robinson, to Seattle and got Fife, Tim Federowicz and Juan Rodriguez.
In 2012 Fife was recalled in June and had some success in five starts. He pitched a total 26.2 innings, allowing eight runs, 25 hits, and 12 walks with 20 strikeouts.
He never lasted very long, just one outing that went into the seventh inning, but his pitch counts were still high. He was 0-2 in 2012 with 1.95 runs per start support.
Fife went down for over a month at the start of the 2013 season with right shoulder inflammation, but has recovered fine and delivered consistently in his seven starts.
He has been used in the five-hole of the rotation while Ted Lilly is on the Disabled List. His record is 3-2 in 41.1 innings, allowing 13 earned runs on 39 hits and 11 walks with 35 strikeouts for a 2.83 ERA.
It will be tough to watch if Fife gets bumped out of the rotation in favor of the aging and injury-prone Lilly.
In the month of June, Fife had the lowest ERA among Dodger starters and was second in innings pitched behind Zach Greinke. He pitched 36.2 innings, giving up nine earned runs with 30 strikeouts and 10 walks.
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When the trade in 2011 sent Trayvon Robinson to Seattle, fans and media tore the trade apart, calling out Ned Colleti for making yet another poor trade. Fife was not valued as a strong starter, and Tim Federowicz was supposed to be just passable as a backstop, but both have developed into contributing pieces of this Dodgers team.
Meanwhile, the much-valued Robinson is hitting just .215/.272/.330 with Seattle since the trade.
Stephen Fife will start on Saturday for the Dodgers against the Giants’ Madison Bumgarner. The Dodgers are looking for their second win in a row and their 12th win in 14 games.
