The Los Angeles Dodgers continue with their winning ways, having just completed a three game sweep of the Miami Marlins over the weekend.
As the team has been anticipating, several pitchers have or are very close to returning.
Dustin May had his first start on Saturday since undergoing Tommy John surgery in May of 2021. May was stellar, going 5.0 innings, allowing one hit, walking two, and striking out nine.
In the corresponding move, Reyes Moronta was designated for assignment.
On Monday, Brusdar Graterol returned from his stint on the IL. He was placed on the IL July 14th, retroactive to July 11th, dealing with right shoulder inflammation. He finished his rehab with back-to-back outings with Triple-A Oklahoma City over the weekend. In the corresponding move, starter Ryan Pepiot was optioned back to Oklahoma City.
Blake Treinen is slated for a Sept 2nd return. The relief pitcher has missed most of the season, going on the IL on April 22. In his most recent outing on Sunday, also with Oklahoma City, he pitched a scoreless inning, striking out three. He also had a hit by pitch.
Earlier last week, manager Dave Roberts said that he didn’t believe that Danny Duffy would pitch again for the Dodgers, he may make it back in time to have some impact for the team. What Roberts had thought was a setback was actually just some soreness, and Duffy is doing better.
Duffy pitched most recently in an Arizona Complex League game, where he didn’t allow a hit but gave up a run in his only inning of work. Duffy issued a leadoff walk, which was followed by a hit by pitch, strikeout, groundout, walk and strikeout.
“So it was some soreness, which players go through, and he came back and threw the baseball really well,” Roberts clarified. “We’re going have a full roster, but I know Duffy’s expectation is to help us at some point, and that’s my hope as well.”
Clayton Kershaw is not expected to have to go on a rehab assignment before he returns to the starting rotation. Kershaw threw a bullpen on Monday and should throw a simulated game later this week. Should he come out of both of those no worse for the wear, he could be activated before August is over.
Also on Monday, the Dodgers announced that they had signed infielder Max Muncy to a one year extension, with an option for 2024. His contract for next season is $13.5M, which is what his option for next year had been. The new team option for 2024 is worth $10M with incentives.
If the Muncy the Dodgers get is the 2021 version in 2023 it is a great deal. When Kershaw returns and in his old form the Dodgers can match up with anyone in the playoffs with Urias, Gonsolin, Kershaw, and May. I watched May’s game and reviewed pitches in slow motion. The break on his pitches is as sharp with as much movement as I have ever seen and he had good control, amazing. How the Dodgers juggle the rosters will be interesting. Dodgers went from scrambling for pitchers to having more than they can fit on the roster. Is Almonte scheduled to return? He has been very effective and can pitch tough innings.
Almonte hasn’t even thrown yet, so it’s hard to say if we’ll see him again this year. In any case, I think he’s on a one-year contract so hopefully they make sure to bring him back next year.
I don’t see how Duffy makes it back this year even if he’s feeling and throwing great. Who would they remove in order to make a spot for him? Vesia, Ferguson, Price, Kershaw, Anderson, Heaney? All left handers currently on the 26-man and none of whom the Dodgers would be willing to jettison this season. And now VGon is throwing also. How do they make room for him?
I am not convinced Heaney can pitch 5-7 innings and be as effective as the rest of the group, hopefully he proves up this last quarter. If he is ok I would trade Almonte for Bickford on the roster.
So, here’s your dilemma, Tmax.
If you take Bickford off to put Almonte on, who comes off for Kershaw?
And who comes off for Treinen?
Well they get 1 pitching slot of two slots when September roles around? So Treinen for Bickford and Kershaw takes the open slot. Then the Dodgers get to decide who they want on the playoff rosters. What a nice problem to have. If they have Treinen, Phillips, Graterol, Ferguson, Vesia, and Price I think they are better than most teams in the bullpen regardless of if Kimbrel figures out his issues. If they have one more position player slot I wonder if they bring Rios back or? I really like Rios but Vargas can make consistent contact. Vargas is a contact guy and that is badly needed in the playoffs with elite pitching.
Remember, playoff rosters go back down to 26 so whomever the extra position player is in September, he probably won’t be on the playoff rosters.
That’s especially true for Vargas who has exactly 8 major league at bats and isn’t even hitting .300 in AAA. My feeling is that it will be Rios in September and then they’ll decide between Rios and Gallo for the playoffs (probably Gallo because of his defense).
Tmax, I think the Dodgers would make Anderson the starter, and have Mays come out of the bullpen, during the playoffs, it seems I read that somewhere, but can’t remember.
Glad to see Max tied up for next year and the year after if they want him, 13 mil is not that big a gamble these days, even if he isn’t at his top form.
I highly respect what Anderson has done this year. But if he can stretch out a bit I want someone like May to pitch against the other teams ace. Although Anderson, Gonsolin and Urias have been incredible all year as their stats show. You could be right Keith if they use May like they used Urias when they won the WS.
Dbacks put in a claim on Moranta, I didn’t think he would clear waivers.
Teams like the Dbacks are just going to sit there for the next month and pick off all our dfa’s. And there will be some guys with decent talent on that list.
Bickford might have just signed his dfa ticket, when Kershaw comes back, with this outing tonight. Bad night to lose control.