While the starting rotation of the Los Angeles Dodgers was one of the team’s most consistent strengths throughout the regular season, it has quickly become a potential postseason concern as multiple injuries will have at least some kind of impact.
Continue reading “Dodgers Roster: More Thoughts on Current Starting Rotation”
First and foremost, I would like to apologize. I was just sitting down to write this post, and the thought in my head was about how all the Los Angeles Dodgers need to do from this point on is just stay healthy.
That was disrupted by the announcement that on Monday, the Dodgers placed right handed pitcher Tony Gonsolin on the 15-day IL, with right forearm strain. The placement is retroactive to August 26th.
Continue reading “Tony Gonsolin Placed on 15-Day IL”
Although there hasn’t been much movement in the National League playoff race — at least from a Dodgers perspective — there could be a lot of news emerging as the calendar turns to September next week.
We’ve been discussing roster expansion for a while, and although there’s only room for one pitcher and one position player, the team could be jockeying a few roster spots to make room for some big-name players.
At the onset of the weekend, we heard that everything looks good for veteran Clayton Kershaw. The lefty threw a three-inning simulated appearance earlier in the week and is expected to toss a similar four-inning outing on Saturday in Miami.
If everything feels good afterwards, Kershaw could start on September 1 against the Mets in the series finale New York, as manager Dave Roberts indicated this week.
“It’s either the option of regular rest, which would be Thursday,” Roberts said. “Or an extra day, which would be Friday. We haven’t decided which yet, but it’s probably going to be one of those two.”
As it stands, it appears that Los Angeles could go with a six-man rotation the rest of the way, allowing the starting pitchers to stay fresh without shutting them down completely — as long as everyone’s health holds up.
Seemingly, the team could face a decision as to who would be the postseason starters between Kersh, Tony Gonsolin, Julio Urias, Dustin May, Tyler Anderson and Andrew Heaney by the time the playoffs roll around.
Typically, the Dodgers would bump one or two of the extra starters into the bullpen, but the relief corps might be in for some overcrowding of its own.
The last we heard, Blake Treinen continues to throw well in his rehab stint for Triple-A Oklahoma City. There have been a few whispers that the big righty could be activated as soon as September 2.
If Kershaw gets the 27th spot and a position player gets the 28th spot, that means that someone will either need to get placed on the injured list or bumped off the roster entirely to make room for Treinen. One of the first names that comes to mind is Phil Bickford, particularly for a stint on the IL.
In addition, Victor Gonzalez and Tommy Kahnle are progressing through rehab assignments of their own, but whether they have enough time to get up to speed before season’s end remains to be seen.
Roberts has been especially impressed with Gonzalez.
“He’s bouncing back, the stuff is good,” the skipper said. “Everything I’ve heard about Victor has been real positive.”
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.
Continue reading “Dodgers News and Injury Notes – Pitchers Returning Soon, Muncy Gets Extension”
Although the Dodgers lead the entire MLB in team ERA, the club may be seeing some improvements over the next few weeks that could fine tune the rotation and bullpen.
As a matter of fact, the Los Angeles 2.86 team ERA is the only mark under 3.00 in the league. Their combined 2.71 ERA for starting pitchers is light years ahead of Houston’s second -place mark of 3.14, and their 3.08 team bullpen ERA is good enough for third in the majors.
Continue reading “Dodgers Roster: More Thoughts on a Revamped Pitching Staff”
Dustin May will join the Dodgers soon. The right-hander is expected to make his season debut next week against the Marlins. May has been out since early last season with Tommy John surgery.
Part of the reason there wasn’t a tremendous sense of urgency among Dodger fans to trade for Luis Castillo or Pablo Lopez at the trade deadline was due to the players the Dodgers were expecting to return from injury.
Continue reading “What Role Will Dustin May Play During 2022 Stretch Run?”
The Los Angeles Dodgers just keep trucking along. They’ve now won nine straight games, for the first time this season, and look to go for double digits Wednesday night against the Minnesota Twins.
Continue reading “Dodgers News and Notes – Urías, Ace? Muncy Back? and More”
The 2022 summer trade deadline was a bit strange for the Dodgers this year, as they mostly stayed pat and decided to hang onto their plentiful stock of prospects in the minors, seemingly content with their chances at another deep postseason run in October.
Not many fans were concerned about starting pitching heading into the deadline. At the time, there seemed to be plenty of options for both the rotation and the bullpen, as there were a handful of key players approaching their prospective returns from the injured list.
Continue reading “Dodgers Roster: Sorting Out the Starting Pitching Situation”
After a successful and eventful All-Star weekend at Dodger Stadium, the Los Angeles Dodgers now set their sights on the second half of the season and a march towards a hopeful World Series win.
While there was a lot of hand wringing by fans over the first half of the season, it really was very good. While managing both key players’ injuries and subpar performances by two usual contributors, the Dodgers still sit atop the NL West with a commanding 10 game lead over the San Diego Padres, and a 12.5 game lead over the San Francisco Giants.
Continue reading “Dodgers First Half Stats and Second Half Predictions”
The Los Angeles Dodgers had another crazy game for their first in a three game series in St Louis. But unlike Sunday’s impressive comeback, they couldn’t overcome Mitch White’s six earned run outing, losing 7-6 to the Cards.
Freddie Freeman however stayed hot, adding another four hit game to his Dodgers résumé. He went 4-for-5 with a double, and a solo home run, and also driving in two.
Continue reading “Dodgers Pitching News and Notes- Treinen, Heaney, and More”
Think Blue Planning Committee 