The Los Angeles Dodgers made several moves at this year’s MLB trade deadline to bring in the likes of Jack Flaherty, Michael Kopech, Amed Rosario, Kevin Kiermaier and Tommy Edman.
The additions straightened a roster that has been plagued by injuries for most of the season. However, several key players are expected back in the near future, which should further bolster the team for the stretch run.
Mookie Betts is on track to be activated during the upcoming road trip, while Max Muncy and Edman are starting rehab assignments this weekend. Chris Taylor, Walker Buehler, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Ryan Brasier and Blake Treinen are all slated to return before the end of the regular season as well.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts believes the roster crunch is giving players on the back end of the depth chart a chance to stand out, via Jack Harris of the L.A. Times:
“Every night that these guys are getting opportunities, they have a chance to make an impression,” Roberts said of his current bottom-half group. “[They can] kind of change the way the organization views what might be a position of need. That’s the job.”
The Dodgers’ upcoming roster crunch will primarily impact replacement-level players like Nick Ahmed, Kiké Hernández and Brent Honeywell. Players with Minor League options such as Andy Pages and Michael Grove could also be affected.
When rosters expand in September, the Dodgers are going to be permitted to carry two extra players, but that will still leave some on the outside looking in.
In the meantime, the players on the bubble will have an opportunity to show that they deserve to stay on the active roster for the remainder of the season.
Dodgers roster crunch
The Dodgers’ roster crunch began this week when Cavan Biggio was designated for assignment as the corresponding move to Freddie Freeman rejoining the team from the restricted list for his family emergency leave. Biggio has since cleared waivers and was released by the Dodgers.
Miguel Rojas was also activated from the IL, which resulted in James Outman getting optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City.
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