The Los Angeles Dodgers have a full staff’s worth of pitchers currently occupying the injured list, with Emmet Sheehan, Blake Snell and Blake Treinen as just a few examples.
Even faced with a pitching shortage, the Dodgers have chosen to take a patient approach as players work through their various rehab programs with the belief that it will lead to better outcomes.
The situation in the starting rotation has become even more dire by the loss of Tony Gonsolin, who was placed on the 15-day injured list with right elbow discomfort. It has prompted a change from the Dodgers to move Ben Casparius from his role in the bullpen to the rotation.
While the process has been slow, many of the Dodgers’ pitchers are making progress.
Dodgers updates
Emmet Sheehan
Even with the addition of Casparius to the rotation, there is still room for one more and that could be where Sheehan comes into play.
He is in the early stages of rehab assignment, having just made his fourth start being completed on Thursday in Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Sheehan’s next outing could very well be with the Dodgers if that is something they believe is best for him.
“Yeah, I think that’s the thought right now is just kind of figuring out what’s next for him. I think the stuff was better than the line score,” manager Dave Roberts said.
“Whether he needs another one there or he joins us. I think that’s kind of what internally we’re going to make that final decision here in the next day or two.”
Roberts had previously indicated the hope was for Sheehan to complete four innings before being activated.
Blake Snell
Snell is still a ways away from making his return to the Dodgers rotation, but he’s in a much better place now than where he was back in April after being shut down from throwing for a second time.
Snell threw a second bullpen session on Friday.
“Blake Snell, it was all fastballs. I think he got to 20-25 pitches, and it was crispy,” Roberts said. “It was good, really good. So I’m not sure what his next one is, but he came out of it really well, which is exciting for all of us.
“I’m sure the next one will probably start incorporating some spin. So that’ll be good. And Blake Treinen also through one right before Blake. So it’s been a good day thus far for us.”
Blake Treinen
Treinen has been on the IL with a low-grade right forearm sprain since mid-April, but has made strides in his recovery over the past month or so. He completed a second bullpen session of his rehab process on Friday, with his first coming during the Dodgers’ road trip.
There is still has a number of checkpoints to clear, but Treinen is in the homestretch.
“Yeah, I think it’s just probably another few ‘pens, and then he’s going to have to face some hitters, and then go out on rehab,” Roberts said. “There’s some back to backs on the rehab. So probably sometime after the All-Star break.
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