The Los Angeles Dodgers, maybe as much as any other team in the majors, has seen their pitching staff get repeatedly hit with injuries.
Overall, the Dodgers currently have 10 pitchers on the injured list. And now that Clayton Kershaw has landed there, that makes a clean sweep of all the starters to have some injury issue this season.
Kershaw was placed on the IL July 3, retroactive to June 30, due to a shoulder issue. Kershaw told reporters on the Monday that he is trending upwards, and feels confident that he will be ready to go after the All-Star break.
The most heartbreaking injury so far happened to reliever Daniel Hudson. While earning his first save in over a year, Hudson sprained his right MCL and it is unclear if he can return this season. Hudson just returned from the IL after his left ACL was surgically repaired. He had only pitched three innings so far this season, all scoreless and only allowing three hits. Roberts had said on his return that Hudson was “an adult” in the bullpen and the bullpen would benefit greatly from his return.
Another pitcher who will not be returning this season is Dustin May. The team announced Tuesday that May will undergo surgery on his right elbow to repair his flexor tendon. He will also undergo a Tommy John revision for a Grade 2 sprain of his UCL. The hope is he can return midseason next year.
And one pitcher who might be on his way back is Noah Syndergaard. He will throw another bullpen, and then go out on a rehab stint with Triple-A Oklahoma City in a week or so. Manager Dave Roberts said they still see Syndergaard as a starter, but part of the conversation will be around if “the stuff plays at the major league level” once it gets to that point.
Syndergaard threw three simulated innings today off the mound at Dodger Stadium. Reports were that Thor was looking much better than he had, and that his fastball was back to touching 94 MPH.
For Friday night’s game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Mookie Betts is once again starting at second base. It’s his third time in four games, and it seems he is replacing Miguel Vargas.
Roberts told reporters before that game that there is a possibility of Vargas being sent down to Triple-A to figure out his issues at the plate. Vargas’s batting average is down to .197/.300/.370 on the season and he is 5 for his last 62.
Roberts said “everything is on the table” when asked if Vargas could be optioned. However, were that to happen, it would likely be after the All-Star break, if at all.
Landon Knack is on the taxi squad and will remain there through Saturday. He was brought along in case Brusdar Graterol had to be placed on the IL. So far, that isn’t the case. Tony Gonsolin will start Friday night’s game, and the current plan for Saturday’s game is for Michael Grove to get the bulk of the innings, either as a starter or after an opener.
The Dodgers are off on Sunday, and will resume play Friday the 14th in New York against the Mets.
Think Blue Planning Committee 
What in the hell are they waiting for? Vargas needs to go to OKC and reset. And why in the hell is Muncy batting 4th? Dodgers need to keep Mookie at SS and 2B. Get DeLuca some AB’s and bring Busch back up.
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Vargas – they missed the bus to OKC. Got him to the terminal about 10 minutes too late
Muncy – they asked Rojas if he wanted to bat cleanup but he said no
Mookie – never mind short and 2nd. Make him the permanent shortstop.
DeLuca – Free Jonny D!
Busch – He certainly has nothing left to prove at OKC.
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Anyone here (including our esteemed hosts) have any ideas on anyone you might like to add at the deadline and what you’d be willing to give up to get them?
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It’s been a good season for the fresh farm kids getting MLB experience: Every outing the young pitchers learn the difference between AAA & MLB hitters. Outman; Vargas, DeLuca and Busch have had at bats although Vargas has had a tough debut.
With all the major injuries and playing rookies. The Dodgers are 1/2 games out in the west.
Great job…
I am hoping they let it ride and maybe pick up a reliever for a low prospect we shall see-
I think the Padres are going to explode and have a winning second half their offense is beginning to rock.
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I agree that we haven’t seen the last of the Pads. They’re simply too good not to start winning on a regular basis and be a problem by September.
I don’t think AF is going to “let it ride”. I believe he’ll do more than pick up a reliever for a low prospect, because that wouldn’t be much of a reliever. If we were 10 out instead of 1/2 out, he might well have done that, but we’re too close not to do something fairly interesting. What that might be, I have no clue, but we’ll know in about 3 weeks.
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I am looking at futures. In 24 Dodgers possibly have Ohtani and or Urias. Gonsolin, Buehler, Miller. And Sheehan, Knack, Grove, Pepiot or?? And possibly Kershaw. So do they trade one of the young pitchers and maybe Busch, or even Cartaya as Rushing is flying up the minors?? But is the new pitcher a rental or does he fit into the 24 rotation? May if when he comes back is probably a closer. DeLuca should get more of a shot. He has solid right handed power. I would schedule Pepiot and Stone and or Knack to the pen. The talent is there they simply need experience.
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No good reason in my mind to trade anyone except those that are deemed permanently blocked or not good enough. But there are several of those
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The front office is going to have a major problem with the Rule 5 draft this winter.
The following players will be eligible to be drafted if not added to the 40-man:
Eligible last winter but not drafted, these guys have all improved enough this year that they would quite possibly go:
Feduccia, Jose Ramos, Hyn-Il-Choi (2021 Dodger minor league pitcher of the year), Devin Mann
Eligible for the first time this winter:
Pitchers Nick Frasso, Kyle Hurt and Landon Knack and Catcher/2nd Baseman Yeiner Fernandez. The three pitchers could easily be ready for the majors in 2024 so would all be likely to be taken in the draft. Fernandez is a good prospect but probably a couple years away.
Depending on how the team feels about these guys, it would be silly to just let them go for nothing so unless they’re expected to be added to the 40-man this winter, these guys are prime trade bait.
By the way, here’s a link to a great site if you have interest in Dodger prospects. It’s called Future Dodgers and the guy who runs it, Justin Lorber, does a really great job of keeping tabs on Dodger prospects as well as the draft. Take a look if this kind of stuff interests you. Andy/Dennis, you might want to add this link to your list of Dodger links.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Tuooytw157kjyMeY1ecRDnPq9FTGGWQOwzWSgsQpqN4/edit#gid=882166644
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Thanks Jeff. But when has the rule 5 draft ever been a problem for the Dodgers, or any other team for that matter. Just check their age. I’ve said before, the40 man should be a 35 man then we wouldn’t have these silly discussions. But you are right, Andrew has been very good over the years, at trading these road blocks before, (or after) they make the 40 man. He has a lot to dispose of this year, and I fear he’s too late.
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Remind me again, Gordon, of the official age at which you feel a player is no longer a prospect, or in other words, no longer likely to have a good career?
I’m a bit concerned, because I think I may be over the limit.
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Thanks for the site!! They have plenty of trade bait. Plus a few of the young guys on the 40 now.
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