The Los Angeles Dodgers are once again enjoying a successful season as they sit atop the National League West standings with a relatively comfortable lead despite a remarkable number of injuries.
The Dodgers have benefitted from strong starting pitching at various points throughout the year, which has included multiple rookies making their MLB debuts and contributing.
But fact of the matter is there are multiple areas of the Dodgers roster that need — or should — be addressed before the MLB trade deadline passes on Tuesday.
It’s a reality manager Dave Roberts recognizes, per Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group:
“Yes,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Sunday when asked if he felt the Dodgers needed to make a move before the deadline. And then, he expanded the definition of “doing something” at the deadline.
“We’ve talked a little about the guys coming back (from injuries) in the bullpen. So that’s doing something. Walker (Buehler) and Bobby (Miller) are still a ways away I think in everyone’s opinion. That’s something. … I still believe we need something. I just don’t know where, what it is or who it is. You know, Mookie (Betts) is coming back soon. I hope we get (Max) Muncy moving around and get him closer because it’s been pretty stagnant over the last few weeks.”
It is a fair assessment of the situation the team finds itself in, as Tyler Glasnow and Clayton Kershaw both returned from the injured list last week. The Dodgers additionally are hopeful Bobby Miller and Walker Buehler will make their way back onto the roster as well.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto is scheduled to throw a bullpen session this week for the first time since suffering a right rotator cuff strain and has a goal of pitching again in 2024.
As for a bullpen group that’s recently struggled, Brusdar Graterol, Ryan Brasier and Michael Grove are in the midst of respective rehab assignments.
Mookie Betts is making progress in his recovery from a left hand fracture, but Max Muncy’s status is uncertain and the Dodgers’ outfield as a whole has lacked.
Dodgers trade targets
Given their multiple needs, the Dodgers have reportedly cast a wide net at the trade deadline.
Among other players they have been connected to include Garret Crochet, Luis Robert Jr., Jack Flaherty, Tarik Skubal, Nico Hoerner, Tommy Edman and Luis Rengifo.
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