Dodgers in need of Highlander Reed

Janie Reed, a member of the U.S. Olympic women’s softball team, arrived in Tokyo on Monday in preparation for the Summer Olympic Games.

Less than 24 hours later, she was on the phone with her husband, former Helix High pitcher Jake Reed.

Why? The former Highlanders standout made his Major League debut on Tuesday with the Los Angeles Dodgers following six long seasons at Triple-A ball, yet never got a sniff of the big leagues, even as a late-season call-up in September.

To make the debut doubly good, L.A. management allowed Reed to also start in Wednesday’s game at Miami in a bullpen day for the Dodger pitching staff.

Despite 13 time zones and more than 7,400 miles apart, the couple surely had some things to talk about regarding both of their experiences.

The Dodgers purchased Reed’s contract earlier in the day Tuesday, but Reed was already en route to South Florida. A few hours later, he was on the mound a mere decade following his graduation from Helix.

Reed, who delivers from a unique arm angle, struggled to find the zone in his first few deliveries but then recovered to get a couple of ground balls and a strikeout of Garrett Cooper, as he intentionally walked Jesus Sanchez, and allowed two hits and an unearned run, getting the Dodgers out of a bases-loaded jam.

In his opener appearance the following day, he allowed a solo home run in the first inning, his only inning of work.

Janie (née Takeda) Reed and her teammates could be found all Wednesday (Japan time) on social media sharing their excitement for Jake’s special day. In a few weeks, the husband hopes to do something similar for his bride in her ballclubs’ pursuit of Olympic Gold.

Among the teammates for Team USA, Dejah Mulipola, a 2021 Arizona grad, posted clips of her catching for Jake last year during the lockdown period of the pandemic.

Olympic team alternate Keilani Ricketts posted an Instagram story that included a video of the team chanting, “Jake! Jake! Jake!” as Janie entered the room during breakfast.

The American women, ranked No. 1 in the world, are in Iwakuni, an 11-hour drive west of Tokyo. where they will train, then play four doubleheaders from July 9-13, leading up to their first Olympic game on July 21 against Italy.

Gold will not be automatic; Games host nation Japan is rated No. 2 in the world.

According to media reports, the Reeds, both 28, met and began dating as student-athletes during their freshman year at the University of Oregon in 2011. They were married in November 2017.

Jake Reed bounced around the minor league system of the Minnesota Twins. He was originally draft by the Chicago White Sox in the 10th round out of Helix in 2011, yet went to Oregon, where the Twins gained his rights in 2014 as a 5th-round selection in the MLB amateur draft.

Reed then moved to the Los Angeles Angels system with Triple-A Salt Lake in 2020, then signed with the Dodgers before the start of the delayed 2021 minor league season about six weeks ago.

Reed posted a 2.61 ERA with 11 strikeouts in nine games for the Oklahoma City Dodgers.

But the Dodgers are now in need of arms following the extended suspension of Trevor Bauer and the placing of Clayton Kershaw on the 10-day disabled list.

For now, Reed is in “The Show.”

The former Cougar and Highlander appeared in the same game three times last month (June 17, 20, 27) for the Oklahoma City Dodgers but may soon be on the ML roster together.

However, Dodger pitching situation is so precarious right now, Vesia could return at the expense of Reed. https://t.co/5eWkaXqlNY

— Ramon Scott (@RamonScottMedia) July 9, 2021

Vesia now with Dodgers

Alex Vesia (SCHS Class of ’14), a resident of Alpine who went on to pitch at Cal State East Bay, made his MLB debut with the Miami Marlins in 2020. He is now on the 40-man roster for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Vesia has pitched in ten games for the injury-riddled Dodgers, tossing 10 2/3 innings, before recently being returned to Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Vesia has been awesome since being optioned, striking out 15 consecutive batters in a recent string of appearances. Since getting optioned to Triple-A, Vesia has 19 strikeouts in nine innings pitched.