The Los Angeles Dodgers bullpen has been a strength of the team despite the group currently being without several key contributors.
Notable Dodgers relief pitchers still on the injured list are Ben Casparius, Edwin Díaz, Jack Dreyer, Brusdar Graterol, Evan Phillips and Brock Stewart. Phillips and Stewart both pitched to batters earlier this week, though the latter remains bothered by a bone spur in his left foot.
Meanwhile, Jack Dreyer threw live batting practice at Dodger Stadium on Friday. He’s been on the 15-day injured list since May 17 due to left shoulder discomfort.
“He was warming up [May 16] and felt something in his shoulder, some soreness. So we just wanted to be proactive,” manager Dave Roberts explained at the time. “Had a scan today, there was nothing relevant. Just some inflammation, which we had expected. But we want to be careful with him, so with that, put him on the IL and hope he gets back once the stint is up.”
Jack Dreyer returning without rehab assignment
Roberts estimated Dreyer threw 20 to 25 pitches while facing batters and used his entire mix.
“Got a couple of grounders, a strikeout. So, not sure what the next step is, but I do know that on that 16th day, which is coming up soon, he’s hoping to be active,” Roberts added. “So we should be in a good spot.”
Dreyer is eligible to be activated on Monday, June 1, when the Dodgers start their road trip against the Arizona Diamondbacks. He is on track to return without joining a Minor League affiliate for any sort of rehab assignment.
Dreyer made his MLB debut last year and became one of the most trusted options out of the Dodgers bullpen. He appeared in 67 games and logged 76.1 innings, the most Dreyer had pitched at any level in his professional career. The southpaw received down-ballot votes for the 2025 National League Rookie of the Year Award that went to Atlanta Braves catcher Drake Baldwin.
Dreyer’s emergence earned him a spot on the Dodgers’ Opening Day roster this season and his current 2.08 ERA is nearly a full run better than last year’s mark. He’s added 24 strikeouts and pitched to a 0.97 WHIP in 21.2 innings over 20 games so far in 2026.
“He is using his curveball more, he throws to all different quadrants. He’s actually maybe a little bit better versus right than left,” Roberts recently said of Dreyer’s success. “I always refer to that Rubik’s Cube. To be able to do a Rubik’s Cube in 25 seconds, you’ve got to have a good heartbeat. This dude has a good heartbeat, which I trust.”
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