The Los Angeles Dodgers at last had all the pieces of the puzzle put together on Sunday afternoon. Brandon Beachy had struggled through another start and is saddled with tendinitis in his throwing arm, while Zach Lee was optioned to Minor League camp
Mike Bolsinger was set for another turn in the rotation — the fifth and final spot seemingly his to lose. However, Bolsinger never made it out of the bullpen as abdominal pain forced him to stop throwing and retreat to the clubhouse.
He was scratched with tightness in his left side, though it’s now more accurately been diagnosed as an oblique strain. It’s the type of injury that can linger and take one month to heal, but Bolsinger believes a quick return is within reason.
Given the uncertainty surrounding his status, the Dodgers are again forced to examine and evaluate options for their fifth starter. One candidate ruled out by Dodgers manager is long reliever Joe Blanton, according to Ken Gurnick of MLB.com:
Roberts said Joe Blanton not a candidate for fifth starter, will remain long reliever
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) March 21, 2016
Blanton has experience as a starting pitcher, including with the Dodgers in 2012, but had greater success out of the bullpen last season with the Kansas City Royals and Pittsburgh Pirates.
While he isn’t part of the equation, Roberts Lee reenters the picture and he’s joined by Carlos Frias, per J.P. Hoornstra of the LA Daily News:
Dave Roberts said that Zach Lee is a candidate to take Mike Bolsinger's next Cactus League start. Lee, Frias in 5th starter conversation.
— J.P. Hoornstra (@jphoornstra) March 21, 2016
Lee allowed four runs in eight innings pitched in three Cactus League starts this year, good for a 4.50 ERA. He posted a 1.13 WHIP and had four strikeouts compared to a pair of walks.
Lee made his Major League debut last season, allowing seven runs on 11 hits over 4.2 innings in a spot start against the New York Mets at Citi Field. In 19 starts with Triple-A Oklahoma City, he was 11-6 with a 2.70 ERA and 1.11 WHIP.
Frias owns a 3.38 ERA and 0.84 WHIP in five games (one start) this spring. His longest appearance thus far was three innings pitched in the game he started. Last season, Frias started 13 of 17 games. He was 5-5 with a 4.06 ERA, 4.32 FIP and 1.47 WHIP.
The Dodgers will first need a fifth starter on April 8 — their fifth game of the season — but off days on April 11 and April 18 allow them some flexibility to shuffle a fifth pitcher and extra position player on and off the roster, just as they did last season.
