There were a few mild surprises when the Los Angeles Dodgers announced their 28-man active roster for the Wild Card Series, most notably with Dylan Floro and Gavin Lux being left off. Both are among players the Dodgers have on their taxi squad for the first round of the playoffs.
Floro not being active of the best-of-three series with the Milwaukee Brewers was more of an eye opener than with Lux, who struggled since reporting late to Summer Camp for an undisclosed reason. He was optioned to the Dodgers’ alternate training site before Opening Day and didn’t join the team until late August.
On the position player front, the Dodgers ultimately settled on Matt Beaty and Terrance Gore for the final spots. “With T. Gore, it was more of we have the opportunity to carry an extra position player in the short series, where we don’t need the extra arms,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts explained.
“To be able to place him in a spot, minus a run or even, to impact an inning, I think is very helpful.”
As the Dodgers have now advanced to the National League Division Series, the team has an opportunity to reset their postseason roster, which Lux could benefit from. “Gavin, certainly could change next series,” Roberts said during the Wild Card Series.
“He’s such a really good player, but the lack of experience coming off the bench, I just don’t think it was best for him right now. As far as having Beaty, the experience as a bat off the bench, the bat to ball, I think is very helpful.”
Dodgers value third catcher
Although Roberts suggested carrying a third catcher on the playoff roster was more beneficial for a five- and seven-game series, the Dodgers have Keibert Ruiz active.
“Austin is catching [Thursday], so if there’s a situation where we don’t love the matchup and want somebody to hit for him, we still have that extra catcher,” Roberts said. “It just kind of gives me the flexibility to not over expose ourselves with the catching.”
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