The Los Angeles Dodgers are back in the World Series for the 22nd time in franchise history, and once again, they are set to face off against the New York Yankees for the 12th time.
The Dodgers made it to the World Series thanks mostly to their offense, but their bullpen played a significant role as well. The Dodgers utilized multiple bullpen games to get to the Fall Classic, which included a Game 4 win in the National League Division Series against the San Diego Padres and a win in Game 6 of the NL Championship Series against the New York Mets.
Even with how strong the Dodgers bullpen has been, it could be getting even better for the World Series. The group has been without relievers Brusdar Graterol, Alex Vesia, Joe Kelly and Michael Grove, all of whom are dealing with respective injuries.
Graterol and Vesia are the two most impactful of the bunch, and Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said both of them could be options to make the World Series roster.
“I think so,” answered Friedman when asked if Graterol or Vesia could be ready to go for the World Series. “We’re going to celebrate tonight and then tomorrow we’re going to shift our focus to winning four games. I expect our roster to be challenging and difficult, but in a good way.”
Vesia suffered an intercostal injury during the NLDS that kept him off the NLCS roster. At the time, the Dodgers were hopeful he could make it back if they advanced, and the early indications were optimistic.
Graterol began experiencing shoulder discomfort in late September that caused him to land on the 15-day injured list. He was ruled out for the start of the postseason, but he has been throwing recently.
At the time of the injury, Roberts called it a week-to-week situation and noted it’s been something the right-hander dealt with throughout the season.
If the Dodgers can get both of them back, it would be a massive upgrade to their pitching staff as a whole, but even adding just one of them would be a boost.
Vesia may prove to be even more important as the Dodgers need to find ways to limit the left-handed bat of Juan Soto in the World Series.
Who would Alex Vesia and Brusdar Graterol replace on Dodgers roster?
If the Dodgers decide to add one or both of them to the World Series roster, the changes would have to be a pitcher for pitcher swap as they already have the maximum of 13 allowed on the team. The names who could be on their way off the club are Edgardo Henriquez, Landon Knack and Brent Honeywell, none of whom factored into their winning bullpen games.
Ben Casparius seems to be safe after working his way into a higher leverage role during Game 6 while also providing some length. Honeywell put up two performances that saved the bullpen during the NLCS, and that may have earned him a spot as another multi-inning option.
If the Dodgers decided to remove Knack from the roster, they would be left with just three starters, but they did not show much trust in him during the NLDS or NLCS. Henriquez provides promising stuff, but is still a work in progress and did not get any leverage opportunities.
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