The Los Angeles Dodgers have built a big lead in the National League West in the early months of the regular season, working around a number of injuries and roster changes.
Key contributors have been out of the Dodgers lineup over various stretches, but even more impacted is the bullpen. Ryan Brasier, Joe Kely, Brusdar Graterol, Kyle Hurt, Michael Grove and Evan Phillips each have spent time on the injured list.
However, the Dodgers’ bullpen has the second-best ERA (3.02) in Major League Baseball, and lowest mark in the National League. The swift turnaround from their first few weeks of turmoil have stabilized, but weathering injuries and being ready when called upon, is a huge surprise for Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, per Doug Padilla of the Southern California News Group:
“I guess probably the roles in the bullpen,” Roberts said. “You know, having four of the five top leverage guys essentially down for a good bit of time, and not having that continuity, (it’s) just being able to have those guys step up and pitch whenever and wherever I ask them to do and still be productive. I think that’s probably been the biggest cog of the first part of the season.”
Daniel Hudson, Alex Vesia, Yohan Ramírez and Anthony Banda are among those who have stepped up for the Dodgers of late. Blake Treinen also is in the midst of a strong season but hit a recent rough patch.
Getting Phillips back from the IL helped stabilize matters as the Dodgers didn’t need to continue relying on a closer-by-committee approach.
Dodgers bullpen waiting on more returns
While Phillips is back, the Dodgers are hopeful to soon add Kelly and Graterol to the mix as well. Roberts recently said Kelly would not return until after the All-Star break, but he’s beginning a rehab assignment with Single-A Rancho Cucamonga on Tuesday.
Graterol is expected to remain on the 60-day IL into August.
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