(Mandatory Credit: Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers)
At the beginning of 2017 spring training, the bullpen of the Los Angeles Dodgers appeared as if it was in outstanding shape, especially in terms of having several quality lefty arms at its disposal. However, as the season began to take shape, so did the landscape of the relief corps. Grant Dayton was never quite the same as he was in 2016, and eventually fell victim to a ligament tear, which would ultimately end his season. Adam Liberatore, who was one of several workhorses in the relief crew last year, was hampered by injuries for most of the current campaign. And Luis Avilan, well, is Luis Avilan.
The Los Angeles Dodgers reinstated right-handed pitcher Yu Darvish from the 10-day disabled list and placed right-handed pitcher Josh Fields on the 10-day disabled list with a lower back strain. Fields’ stint on the DL can be retroactive to August 25, if needed.
It’s that time of the year again — the point when all of those who follow the Dodgers farm system can sit back and watch the best prospects in the organization deservedly reel in the many end-of-season awards from their respective leagues across the minors.
(Mandatory Credit: Jacob Derichsweiler/The Oklahoman)
With arguably three of the club’s best starting arms currently on the shelf, it’s difficult to believe that the Dodgers still continue to perform at a tremendous rate of success. And despite a nightmarish impromptu start from young righty Brock Stewart against the Pirates on Tuesday evening, the powerful Los Angeles bats lived up to their high profile billing, guiding the squad to its 89th victory of the year. What a shame it is, though, that the offense was unable to muster just a single run in support of Rich Hill‘s spectacular pitching exhibition on Wednesday night.
The Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday afternoon named right-handed pitcher Walker Buehler as the Branch Rickey Minor League Pitcher of the Year and catcher Keibert Ruiz as the Branch Rickey Minor League Player of the Year.
(Mandatory Credit: Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers)
From a pitching standpoint, much of the spotlight from the opener against the Pirates on Monday evening was placed on lefty starter Alex Wood‘s performance and potential shoulder dilemma; however, the general perception of the Dodgers‘ bullpen as of late has been causing many fans to be a bit concerned, especially when looking ahead to the postseason.