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Dodgers News: Brandon Morrow Was Unavailable In Loss To Diamondbacks Due To Back Injury

Matthew Moreno
2 Min Read
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

The Los Angeles Dodgers used three relievers in Tuesday’s extra-innings loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks, including the embattled Pedro Baez in the fateful 10th inning. Not seen was Brandon Morrow, who’s emerged as a dependable late-inning option for the Dodgers this season.

In discussing Baez’s trouble in another high-leverage situation, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts revealed Morrow was unavailable. “Morrow was dealing with a little back thing,” Roberts explained. “We were trying to give him another day (of rest).”

Roberts did not express much concern over the issue. Morrow last pitched Sept. 2 against the San Diego Padres, when he allowed three hits, two runs and issued two walks while retiring just one of six batters faced in a rocky seventh inning.

It was a second consecutive relief appearance and third in four games for the 33-year-old. Morrow has pitched back-to-back days on five separate occasions during his stints with the Dodgers.

On the season he’s 5-0 with one save, a 2.55 ERA, 1.64 FIP, 0.91 WHIP and 40 strikeouts against eight walks 35.1 innings pitched across 36 relief appearances. Of those, 29 have been scoreless efforts and the right-hander has not allowed more than two earned runs in a single game.

Prior to Baez being done in by consecutive walks that put two runners on with nobody out, Ross Stripling backed Hyun-Jin Ryu’s effort with two hitless innings. Stripling at one point was called upon in late-game situations.

As Baez works to solve his troubles and with Morrow dealing with a back issue, Stripling’s recent string of success could lend to him reclaiming that role.

Matthew Moreno is a journalist from Whittier, Calif., who is a credentialed reporter and is currently the Managing Editor of DodgerBlue.com and LakersNation.com. In addition to covering Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angels Lakers, Matthew has a strong passion for keeping up to date with the sneakerhead culture. It began with Michael Jordan and Air Jordan shoes, and has carried over to Kobe Bryant's signature line with Nike. Matthew previously was the lead editor and digital strategist at Dodgers Nation, and the co-editor and lead writer at Reign of Troy, where he covered USC Trojans Football. Matthew graduated from California State Long Beach University with a major in journalism and minor in communications. Contact: matt@mediumlargela.com