The Los Angeles Dodgers have just finished their first home stand of the season, going 7-1 combined against the Cincinnati Reds and the Atlanta Braves. After a day off on Thursday, they will be heading down the California coast to face division rivals San Diego Padres for a three games set ay PetCo Park.
On Wednesday, the Dodgers placed LHP Andrew Heaney on the 10-day IL, bringing in utility player Zach McKinstry to take his spot on the roster.
Heaney is dealing with left shoulder soreness that he started feeling the day after his most recent start, Sunday against the Reds.
“After the start he felt great, and then the next day he just felt something in his shoulder, so we addressed”, manager Dave Roberts told reporters on Wednesday. “We didn’t get any imaging, he feels a little bit better, but to have him make that start, we just felt to IL, take it out of his hand, give him some rest. He’ll miss a start and then we’ll see how it goes. Don’t expect it to be long term, but right now it was a pretty easy decision.”
Heaney has been stellar in his two starts so far this season, throwing 10.1 innings with 16 strikeouts, a 0.00 ERA, and a WHIP of 0.68. Tyler Anderson will take Heaney’s spot in the rotation Saturday in San Diego. So far this season, Anderson has been in a piggy-back situation with Tony Gonsolin. He also has been throwing well, having a 2.25 ERA in 8.0 innings of work, with a 0.50 WHIP and eight strikeouts.
Cody Bellinger is looking like he is hitting his stride at the plate. Across his last seven games, his slash line is a healthy .320/.346/.600 with three RBI and a homer. He also has three doubles and a triple already in the young season. A healthy and lethal Bellinger towards the bottom end of the already potent Dodgers lineup will be an issue for many pitching staffs.
Trevor Bauer has had his administrative leave extended by MLB until Friday, April 29th. It appears to be back to a week-by-week basis until a decision is finally reached.
The Dodgers will now begin a six game road trip against the Padres and the Arizona Diamondbacks. The NL West is a tight cluster at the moment, with four of the top eight best records in the major leagues.
The pitching matchups for the three games series will see LH Julio Urias and RH Nick Martinez on Friday, LH Anderson and RH Yu Darvish on Saturday, and LH Clayton Kershaw and LH Sean Manaea for Sunday’s matinee.
MLB is as bad as our current president. Make a decision on Bauer. How long does this go on? Totally ridiculous. If no charges can be filed why can’t MLB stop playing games. In any other profession Bauer would be back to work and compensated for any losses. This is ridiculous.
Except for not being able to play, Bauer hasn’t suffered any losses. He’s getting paid in full.
On the other hand, the Dodgers not only have to pay a player they aren’t allowed to use, but they’re being forced to pay a penalty tax on top of that. I really don’t understand why the front office isn’t making a bigger stink out of this.
My only guess (hope?) is that MLB knows more than the public knows and is making sure everything is together. Bauer no doubt unless it’s a full reinstatement with apologies will make a huge fuss out of whatever punishment he gets and probably sue the league and/or the team.
I don’t think the FO can actually say or do anything at the moment, until MLB makes their decision.
Bauer is a head case, and his behavior said that before he came to the Dodgers. He’s going to be toxic in the clubhouse. For example, I can’t see him and a straight arrow like Kershaw coexisting. Although financially he is a hit on Dodger management profits, it’s better to pay him to stay away, if they have to. If they pay him off, they are still a playoff contender with the curent system and roster.
It was reported that quite a few players did not want him back. Roberts said he didn’t have to manage egos with this roster. Bauer would definitely blow that clubhouse dynamics