The Los Angeles Dodgers secured a first-round bye in the postseason for the third consecutive year and once again adjusted their approach to workouts in preparation for the National League Division Series.
Players again were given the first day after the regular season off, with the exception of Jack Flaherty pitching to Minor League batters in preparation of his start in Game 1 of the NLDS on Saturday.
A change for the Dodgers this year was making Tuesday optional by way of a voluntary workout at Dodger Stadium. That’s being followed by the Dodgers holding three days of workouts with a goal of increasing intensity leading into the start of the NLDS.
Dodgers NLDS notes
Freddie Freeman
The Dodgers needed a first-round bye this October more than previous years, largely due to injuries. Freddie Freeman suffered a sprained right ankle the night the Dodgers clinched the NL West title and missed the final three games of the season.
Freeman is expected to be in the Dodgers lineup for Game 1 this weekend, but how limited he’ll be by the ankle remains a question.
“He’s swinging and hitting well. We still have a few days before we play, so the treatment and continuing to push that along, we’re going to take that full amount of time,” general manager Brandon Gomes said.
“There’s not many guys that I would bet on more than Freddie in posting and playing well. We’ll take the next few days to see how that goes.”
Miguel Rojas
Miguel Rojas is another of the injured Dodgers who is benefitting from time off before the NLDS begins.
Rojas played a large portion of the year with a left adductor injury, and the expectation is he’ll require offseason surgery for the torn muscle.
Rojas received a cortisone injection last week and also missed the Dodgers’ series at Coors Field. He’s vowed to remain available throughout the playoffs.
Clayton Kershaw
Clayton Kershaw has all but officially been ruled out from making the Dodgers’ postseason roster for the NLDS because of a left big toe injury.
Kershaw has managed to keep his arm moving by playing catch and at one point advanced to throwing bullpen sessions. However, trouble with pushing off the mound required him to stop doing so.
Gomes said Kershaw is “not any closer” to facing batters.
Starting rotation
With Flaherty starting Game 1, that locked Yoshinobu Yamamoto in as the Dodgers’ starter for Game 2 on Sunday. Gomes said the team has not yet decided on which order Walker Buehler and Landon Knack will be utilized as the NLDS progresses.
Dodgers workouts
Manager Dave Roberts said he’s seen more of an “edge” and “different level of intensity” from the Dodgers during their NLDS workouts thus far.
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