Although the Los Angeles Dodgers were coming out of an off day, they played with a short bullpen against the Miami Marlins in the opener of their road trip.
That was evident when Phil Bickford entered the game in the seventh inning with a 3-2 lead. Although Bickford performed well last season, he’s been inconsistent this year and not been used in many high-leverage situations. Bickford failed to make it through the inning and coughed up the lead.
One of the two runs charged to Bickford came with Alex Vesia on the mound and as a result of an infield single. After Craig Kimbrel was used in the eighth inning, David Price entered for a save opportunity in the ninth. He’s pitched well this season but gave up a leadoff home run to tie the game.
Mookie Betts provided more heroics in the 10th inning and the Dodgers took a comfortable lead that Brusdar Graterol was able to protect despite allowing a run.
Following the 10-6 win, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Chris Martin essentially wasn’t available due to right elbow trouble and Caleb Ferguson wouldn’t pitch because of recent usage, per Jack Harris of the L.A. Times:
After the game, Roberts said the Dodgers also predetermined that right-hander Chris Martin and left-hander Caleb Ferguson wouldn’t pitch unless in extreme circumstances.
Roberts said Martin is battling an elbow issue, and that the team is still practicing caution with Ferguson’s workload in his return from Tommy John surgery.
Martin, who corrected his home run troubles since being traded to the Dodgers, last appeared on Tuesday. Prior to that he pitched in back-to-back games Aug. 19 and 20.
As for Ferguson, he last was in a game on Wednesday. The Dodgers have yet to ask Ferguson to pitch on back-to-back days since returning from Tommy John surgery. He additionally has received at least two days of rest for 12 of 22 appearances this season.
Roberts had hoped to avoid using Graterol on Friday night as well, due to the team taking a cautious approach since return from right shoulder inflammation.
Dodgers bullpen outlook
With the final month of the regular season fast approach, the Dodgers bullpen expects to add Blake Treinen from the 60-day injured list on Sept. 2. Danny Duffy, Victor González and Tommy Kahnle are also candidates to return over the next few weeks as well.
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