A recent string of Los Angeles Dodgers injuries included Anthony Banda suffering a hairline fracture in his left hand after struggling against the Chicago Cubs on Sept. 9.
The Dodgers placed Banda on the 15-day injured list the following day and activated Brusdar Graterol. The roster move has resulted in Alex Vesia being the only left-hander in the Dodgers bullpen.
Banda hasn’t been ruled out from potentially returning during the final two weeks of the regular season, or possibly for the playoffs.
According to Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Banda has resumed throwing at Camelback Ranch:
Left-hander Anthony Banda is at the Dodgers’ complex in Arizona “playing catch,” Roberts said, and has not been ruled out for a return “before the end of the season.”
Banda already getting cleared to play catch is certainly a positive development. He likely would have to advance to throwing off a mound and complete at least one bullpen session prior to getting activated.
It’s also probable the Dodgers would arrange for Banda to pitch in a simulated game if his timeline doesn’t match up with joining a Minor League affiliate for a rehab assignment.
Banda is 2-2 with a 3.23 ERA across 46 appearances for the Dodgers this season. The 31-year-old has struck out 50 batters in 47.1 innings pitched while limiting hitters to a .247 batting average.
Banda has been a key contributor out of the Dodgers bullpen for most of the year but recently ran into a rough patch, likely due to being overworked.
The Dodgers acquired Banda rom the Cleveland Guardians on May 17 in exchange for cash considerations.
Anthony Banda’s frustration
News of Banda going on the injured list came as a surprise, and it wasn’t until Roberts provided context that it stemmed from frustration.
“It was a moment of weakness and frustration,” Roberts said at the time. “He decided to take on a solid object that ultimately won the battle.
“Emotions kind of played into it, with the outing that he had last night. It’s something that I know he regrets, we all regret. And he’ll learn from it.”
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