Dodger BlueDodger BlueDodger Blue
  • Dodgers News
    • MLB News
  • Rumors
  • Schedules
    • 2025 Spring Training
    • 2025 Dodger Stadium giveaways
    • 2025 regular season
  • Team
    • Active roster
    • Salaries
  • Video
  • Odds
    • MLB Odds
    • NHL Odds
    • NFL Odds
    • NBA Odds
    • NCAAF Odds
    • NCAAB Odds
    • CFL Odds
    • UFC Odds
    • Boxing Odds
    • MLS Odds
    • PGA Odds
  • About
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
Font ResizerAa
Dodger BlueDodger Blue
Font ResizerAa
  • Dodgers News
  • Rumors
  • Schedules
  • Team
  • Video
  • Odds
  • About
Search
  • Dodgers News
    • MLB News
  • Rumors
  • Schedules
    • 2025 Spring Training
    • 2025 Dodger Stadium giveaways
    • 2025 regular season
  • Team
    • Active roster
    • Salaries
  • Video
  • Odds
    • MLB Odds
    • NHL Odds
    • NFL Odds
    • NBA Odds
    • NCAAF Odds
    • NCAAB Odds
    • CFL Odds
    • UFC Odds
    • Boxing Odds
    • MLS Odds
    • PGA Odds
  • About
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
Follow US
© 2024 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Dodger Blue > Dodgers News > Dodgers Bullpen Management: Who Has Emerged Amid Early Strain
Dodgers NewsFeatured

Dodgers Bullpen Management: Who Has Emerged Amid Early Strain

Scott Geirman
April 12, 2024
6 Min Read
Dave Roberts, pitching change
Amber Searls/USA TODAY Sports
SHARE

The Los Angeles Dodgers sit atop the National League West in the early portion of the regular season, posting a 10-5 record and currently standing as the only team in the division that is over .500.

Questions surrounding the Dodgers are clear: the bottom third of their lineup and the bullpen, which has been among the league’s most used units.

Of course, the outlier is they Dodgers have played two more games than the majority of Major League Baseball teams due to the Seoul Series against the San Diego Padres.

Entering play Friday night, Dodgers relief pitchers have logged a combined 66.1 innings, the most among all teams. They have a 4.61 ERA, but that is skewed as a result of Connor Brogdon, J.P. Feyereisen and Gus Varland having less than two innings of work.

The Dodgers have shied away from utilizing their relievers on back-to-back days, outside of Alex Vesia, who pitched on Tuesday and Wednesday. Vesia yielded a go-ahead home run to his first batter faced in the fifth inning on Wednesday.

In the offseason, the Dodgers traded away their other left-handed option, Caleb Ferguson, to the New York Yankees. That left them with Vesia as the lone left-hander in the bullpen, aside from Ryan Yarbrough who is filling a swingman role.

Yarbrough isn’t a one-inning guy, as his job is a long man. In four appearances, the lefty has logged 13.2 innings, tallying a 3.29 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and .212 batting average allowed.

But the lack of another one-inning option from the left side has plagued the Dodgers bullpen in some situations, with Vesia being the only immediate arm in matchup spots.

Michael Grove is in the same boat as Yarbrough, that he’ll be pushed and pulled between long relief and one-inning appearances. In short stints, Grove’s stuff has played up. But when left in for too long in an attempt to eat innings, he’s been lackluster.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts and the front office have maintained their stance that a six-man rotation isn’t the direction they’re headed toward, but there was a planned bullpen game on April 2.

Bullpen games for the Dodgers are likely to be part of their thought process in how to fill innings to provide starters with rest. But the potential strain and volatility of relying on a soft-tossing lefty and Grove aren’t the areas to hang your hat.

From the perspective that the Dodgers will operate in that sense, at least until a reliable sixth option presents itself, the offense will just have to hit their way into sustainable leads.

The rotation has done their job, for the most part, and their ERA should regulate in a few turns through.

A forgotten aspect is the absence of two key Dodgers bullpen arms in Brusdar Graterol and Blake Treinen. Neither have appeared in a game this season and Graterol isn’t eligible to come off the 60-day injured list until the middle of May.

Treinen is closer to returning, but is still weeks away after taking a line drive to the chest prior to the regular season.

Dodgers bullpen circle of trust

Evan Phillips

Evan Phillips has remained consistent and is a perfect 4-for-4 in save opportunities thus far. He owns a 1.59 ERA, allowing three hits in the 21 batters he’s faced.

There should be no question about who is at the backend.

Ryan Brasier

Signed in the offseason to a two-year, $9 million contract, Ryan Brasier is again proving his turnaround was worth investing in.

Of six appearances, he’s made one start, allowing one run on three hits allowed. Brasier has walked just one batter to his eight strikeouts, while notched three holds.

Daniel Hudson

Continuing a theme of veteran arms, the Dodgers brought back Daniel Hudson. In six appearances in 2024, he’s logged a 1.50 ERA, 3.04 FIP, with one save.

In six innings, Hudson has struck out seven with no walks allowed.

Nabil Crismatt

Thought he wouldn’t sneak this in? The narrative lives on.

Nabil Crismatt joined the Dodgers on a Minor League contract in December, making his debut with the team on March 31 against the St. Louis Cardinals. In his two innings pitched, the right-hander struck out three hitters, allowing just one hit.

Of his 29 pitches, 22 landed for strikes. Crismatt was designated for assignment the next day, but the Dodgers retained him after he cleared waivers.

The importance of Crismatt being in the organization is still his ability to miss bats, and the butterfly changeup that looked as if the Dodgers unlocked a special part of his game.

Crismatt could also be a mirage, and this could blow up in a hurry. But however it turns out, he’s an interesting name to keep an eye on if the Dodgers need a veteran arm to supplement a bullpen finding its feet on the periphery.

Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Share 0
TAGGED:Daniel HudsonEvan PhillipsLos Angeles DodgersNabil CrismattRyan Brasier
ByScott Geirman
Follow:
Scott Geirman is a journalist from Simi Valley, California, currently working as a staff writer for Dodger Blue and Angels Nation. After working as the Sports Editor for the Moorpark College newspaper, he graduated from Cal State University, Northridge with a Bachelor's Degree in broadcast journalism with an emphasis in political science. Scott has a passion for reading, writing, baseball, family, Mookie Betts, and being a father to his beautiful daughter. He is currently pursuing his career in the sports media industry.
Ad imageAd image
Sign Up for Our Newsletter
Get breaking Dodgers News direct to your inbox.

You Might Also Like

Dodgers, Ross Stripling
Dodgers News

Dave Roberts: Ross Stripling ‘In Play’ For Dodgers NLCS Roster

October 9, 2018
October 8, 2018
Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Scott Alexander reacts after allowing a grand slam to New York Mets right fielder Michael Conforto
Dodgers NewsFeatured

Dodgers Injury Update: Scott Alexander Out For Remainder Of 2021 Season

September 19, 2021
September 20, 2021
Game CentralSpring Training

Freeway Series Recap: Dodgers Bullpen Helps Set Stage For Comeback Win Vs. Angels

March 25, 2019
March 25, 2019
Max Muncy, Corey Seager, 2020 World Series
Dodgers NewsFeatured

Why Dave Roberts Is Reluctant To Change Dodgers Lineup Order

May 7, 2021
May 7, 2021

Categories

  • News
  • Rumors
  • Games
  • History

Information

  • Advertise
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Get breaking Dodgers News direct to your inbox.

© 2025 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?

  • 日本語
  • 한국어