When the Los Angeles Dodgers opened camp last month it was with an excess number of starting pitchers. Most assumed by Opening Day at least one member from that depth would wind up being placed in the bullpen.
The general expectation was that would be Tony Gonsolin, Dustin May or Julio Urias. But with a report suggesting the Dodgers had internally decided on Urias being part of the rotation, Gonsolin or May — if not both — appeared primed for a swing role once again.
However, David Price added a wrinkle to the possibilities with his willingness to shift to the bullpen. As the Dodgers sort through their options for the starting rotation and how it invariably will impact the group of relief pitchers on the active roster, composition is another factor to be considered.
Specifically when it comes to a left-handed reliever, as the Dodgers have often included multiple southpaws in their bullpen at any given time. Pitching coach Mark Prior alluded to as much when discussing Caleb Ferguson’s rehab from Tommy John surgery.
“I don’t know if it’s something that we have to,” answered manager Dave Roberts when asked if the team needed two lefty relievers on the roster. “We’re going to go with the best available player.”
Considering Victor Gonzalez is effectively a lock, it leaves the likes of Scott Alexander, Garrett Cleavinger and potentially Enny Romero vying to be a second southpaw if that is the route the Dodgers elect to take. But again, Price may be part of the equation as well.
Alex Vesia was in the discussion earlier this spring, though he’s yet to appear in a game since being among the roster cuts on March 15.
Dodgers overall pitching plans
With multiple decisions still to be made, another is how many pitchers the Dodgers will carry on their active roster.
MLB intended to implement a rule that capped it at 13 (then up to 14 from Sept. 1 through the end of the regular season), but that was tabled for the pandemic shortened season in 2020 and again is the case this year.
“I think an easy way to look at it is 13, but that’s not a hard number,” Roberts said. “So we’ll kind of go from there.”
Considering the Dodgers open the season with four games at Coors Field before heading to Oakland for an Interleague series, it would not be a surprise to see them initially opt for 14 pitchers and a four-man bench.
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