Rather than commit significant resources to re-sign Brandon Morrow or add another premier relief pitcher during the offseason, the Los Angeles Dodgers instead resorted to other means. Among the new additions was Tom Koehler, who inked a one-year deal.
Koehler spent last season with the Miami Marlins and Toronto Blue Jays, enjoying success with the latter while pitching out of the bullpen. It’s a role the Dodgers signed Koehler to fill, though the club also views him as depth for the starting rotation.
Following Clayton Kershaw’s two scoreless innings on Friday, Koehler entered in relief against the Chicago White Sox for just his second Cactus League appearance of the year.
It was short-lived as Koehler was removed due to an apparent injury. The initial belief was the right-hander was set to have his shoulder examined, but manager Dave Roberts confirmed Koehler’s biceps is the area of concern, via Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group:
“When I went out there, he just said his biceps locked up on him,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “So it wasn’t the shoulder or elbow. It was the biceps. He left to get some tests so we’ll know more later.”
Prior to his exit, Koehler surrendered a home run on the first pitch he threw, walked Yoan Moancada, induced a groundout, and walked Jose Abreu. It was after putting Abreu on base that Yasmani Grandal walked to the mound and alerted the dugout of trouble.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts and assistant athletic trainer Nate Lucero went to speak with Koehler, who walked off after a few words with Lucero. Koehler suffered from right shoulder bursitis that forced him to the disabled list last season.
Although the bulk of his career had been spent as a starter, Koehler said one reason he elected to sign with the Dodgers was because of their success in finding diamonds in the rough.
