In 2013, the Los Angeles Dodgers included Dee Gordon on their National League Division Series and NL Championship Series rosters. He’d only appeared in 38 games that season but was viewed as a speedy threat off the bench.
Gordon appeared in two playoff games, spilt between the series, and was caught stealing in Game 2 of the NLDS on his lone attempt during the playoffs. Two years ago, the Dodgers sent several prospects to a speed camp as preparation for a possible spot on their playoff roster. Nothing came of it.
Fast forward to this season, the club called up Tim Locastro from Triple-A Oklahoma City when there were only three games remaining in the regular season. Prior to entering Friday’s game, his MLB debut, Locastro had last played in a game Sept. 4.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts explained the 25-year-old is receiving an opportunity to compete for the final spot on the NLDS roster that will be finalized last week, via Spectrum SportsNet LA:
“To have him active gives us a potential burner off the bench in the postseason. He’s an option to kind of artificially create situations where he can get on base, potentially steal a base, defensive replacement, something like that. As we talked through the postseason and that 25th guy, there’s several options and roles. Just that option to kind of vet, makes sense.”
Locastro’s late arrival in some regard may be tied to Adrian Gonzalez’s health. With the veteran first baseman shut down for the rest of the year, playoffs included, the Dodgers now have a roster spot that otherwise may have been accounted for.
The team conceivably is down to deciding between Locastro, Kyle Farmer as a third catcher, or an eighth relief pitcher. They carried 14 position players, including catchers Austin Barnes, Yasmani Grandal and Carlos Ruiz, and 11 pitchers on last year’s NLDS roster.
During time spent with Oklahoma City and Double-A Tulsa this season, Locastro was successful on 34 of 41 stolen base attempts. He’s stolen 143 of 178 attempts over parts of five Minor League seasons.
The Dodgers acquired Locastro, along with Chase De Jong, from the Toronto Blue Jays in July 2015, in exchange for three international bonus pool slots.
