The Dodgers seem to have a knack for finding effective, under-the-radar relievers. Last year it was Dylan Floro, the year before it was Brandon Morrow, and in 2016 it was a workhorse in Joe Blanton. This year the Dodgers diamond in the rough reliever very well may be Yimi Garcia.
Barring injury, the majority of the roster spots on the Dodgers‘ 25-man roster have already been solidified. However, the final slots in the bullpen could come down to the last few days of camp, as there could conceivably be a battle between five or more arms for one position.
Once touted throughout the entire Dodgers organization for his exceptional spin rate, reliever Yimi Garcia could be on the outside looking in when in comes to a 2019 Opening Day roster spot.
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The Dodgers on Thursday morning recalled right-handed pitcher Yimi García and infielder/outfielder Tim Locastro from Triple-A Oklahoma City, while optioning infielder/outfielder Breyvic Valera to OKC and placing left-handed pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu on the 10-day disabled list with a left groin strain.
While there hasn’t been an overwhelming number of injuries so far this season, there have been enough to create a hindrance in some of the key areas of the Dodgers roster, perhaps even having an effect on the club’s overall performance.
We’re halfway through the third week of spring training and, so far, the Los Angeles Dodgers news from Camelback Ranch has been fairly tame. Norovirus swept through the clubhouse this past week, sending over two dozen Dodgers back to their bunks (and, presumably, their bathrooms) for a couple days before running its course.
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Many media outlets who cover the Dodgers have been spending quite a bit of time this winter discussing the components of the prospective 2018 bullpen, and we are no exception. For the most part, the group who will make up this season’s relief corp is defined, but which roles each pitcher will ultimately assume—sans Kenley Jansen—may take some time to develop. Last season, after a few years of searching, the club’s quest to find a quality eighth-inning arm was finally fulfilled when righty Brandon Morrow eventually settled into the part; however, that exact pursuit will begin anew when players begin reporting to spring training next month.
With the official halfway point of the 2017 season now only a few weeks away, the injury report of the Dodgers is beginning to show a few signs of improvement, although a handful of the lingering ailments are of the more severe nature and are considered long term.
Not long after pitchers and catchers convened in the clubhouse at Camelback Ranch on Wednesday, the Dodgers finally announced the signing of free agent right-handed pitcher Sergio Romo to a one-year contract.
Perhaps the Dodgers were hoping to make a trade with the Twins by now, clearing out a few spots on the 40-man roster in the process. Or maybe team representatives are waiting until the honeymoon is over, permitting time for a physical examination and allowing agents and lawyers to gather in one place to review the contract. Quite possibly, the front office could be mulling over which player to outright to the minors, creating one opening on the big league roster. Either way, at least one corresponding move will need to be made before star reliever Kenley Jansen officially signs his name to his new five-year, $80 million dollar deal.