The Los Angeles Dodgers placed an emphasis on improving their bullpen this past offseason, adding several pitchers who could make an impact as soon as Opening Day or later down the road.
The club most notably acquired Corey Knebel from the Milwaukee Brewers, who not too long ago was one of baseball’s best relievers. The right-hander is now two years removed from Tommy John surgery and looks to build off a strong close to the 2020 season.
Along with adding Knebel, the Dodgers signed Brandon Morrow to a Minor League contract. The 36-year-old once served as a dominant setup man for L.A. during the 2017 season, but is coming off an injury-plagued stint with the Chicago Cubs.
Elbow surgery and a subsequent setback prevented Morrow from pitching in 2019. He also did not pitch last season after suffering a chest strain and a partially torn calf muscle early into Spring Training.
While Morrow is healthy again, he has yet to pitch in a Cactus League game for the Dodgers and likely won’t do so as he continues ramping up. “That’s going to be a ways down the road,” manager Dave Roberts recently said.
“He’s on a throwing program, so I think as far as a Spring Training game, I don’t see that happening. He’s kind of on a slower program. Just appreciating what he’s gone through the last few years, having him build up arm strength, throwing lives and bullpens, that right now is the goal for us throughout Spring Training.”
Roberts revealed this was always the plan for Morrow. “With Brandon, just to think he would be on a regular program was not really realistic,” he said.
“He’s doing great. We’ve had open lines of communication and he understands the situation that would put him in the best spot to help us this year. That’s kind of what we decided on.”
Morrow decision based on downtime, not a new injury
Roberts also made clear that the decision to hold Morrow back from games is not because a new injury surfaced. “Nothing new. Just kind of his downtime and where we’re at,” Roberts said.
“So the slow buildup, getting him peaking some time when the season starts kind of makes the most sense for everyone.”
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