The Los Angeles Dodgers entered Spring Training with eight starting pitchers competing for five spots in the rotation. As they opened the second half of the regular season, they are down to three healthy starters: Walker Buehler, Julio Urias and Tony Gonsolin.
Their depth has been depleted as Dustin May underwent season-ending Tommy John surgery, Trevor Bauer remains on administrative leave while he is investigated for alleged sexual assault, and Clayton Kershaw is on the 10-day injured list due to left forearm inflammation.
David Price was moved to the bullpen to begin the season and though Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was hesitant to move him back into the rotation, that now appears to be the plan for at least the time being.
Despite the lack of starting pitchers and overall health throughout the roster, Buehler remains confident in the Dodgers, according to Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group:
“I know right now it looks a little bleak in the starting rotation,” Buehler said on Media Day at the All-Star Game this week. “But Andrew has never been afraid to get guys to help us. … We’ll strap it together and put it together. Whatever we have to do to win.
“Right now, I wouldn’t bet against us.”
Buehler has a reason to be confident as L.A. still has one of the premier pitching staffs in the league. So far, they have thrown 815.1 innings and lead MLB with a 3.15 ERA and sit second with a 3.66 FIP while accumulating 12.5 WAR and striking out 10.19 batters per nine.
Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman has already said the team will be active in the pitching market as the MLB trade deadline approaches on July 30.
Historically, Friedman has usually made a splash at the deadline, acquiring players such as Rich Hill, Yu Darvish and Manny Machado.
The Dodgers were also among the teams that attended the showcase for veteran southpaw Cole Hamels.
Bauer’s administrative leave extended
MLB and the MLBPA agreed to extend Bauer’s administrative leave until July 27, four days after Bauer’s court hearing in regards to the temporary restraining order.
This is the second time the league has extended his stay on the list as it was previously pushed through July 17.
Under the collective bargaining agreement, the Dodgers are not allowed to issue their own discipline against Bauer until the league’s investigation is completed.
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