The Los Angeles Dodgers lost another high-leverage reliever on Monday night when Tanner Scott left the game with a left forearm injury, adding another concern to an already-overworked and struggling bullpen.
Fortunately for Scott and the team, they appear to benefited from some luck as he is expected to return this season. But it also adds another name to a long list of high-leverage bullpen arms on the shelf, including Blake Treinen, Michael Kopech, Brusdar Graterol, and Evan Phillips, who is out for the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery.
With all the injuries and struggles, the Dodgers have been connected to nearly every reliever available. Among their search they have reportedly targeted Félix Bautista, Ryan Helsley, David Bednar and Emmanuel Clase, and likely more.
With the injury to Scott, manager Dave Roberts said the Dodgers have increased their efforts to acquire a reliever ahead of the MLB trade deadline on July 31.
“I think intensifying it is probably a fair word, given the uncertainty of the leverage guys that we have, we don’t have right now,” Roberts said. “But I do think that we’ve shown in the past that if there’s a trade that needs to be made for a high-leverage guy, we’ll do that. We’ve had some good success of that.
“So the team, the guys, are working hard and kind of trying to figure out what makes sense for the roster. So everything’s in play.”
Relief pitcher seems to be the biggest area of concern for the Dodgers, and they are likely to bet on rebounds from their hitters rather than make a splash move to improve the lineup.
“Well, I think that on the offensive side, with the guys that we have scuffling with the bat, those are essentially four or five trade pickups in itself,” Roberts said.
“So that, we’re going to bet on the comeback, the performance of those guys. I think then you’re starting to really think about the relief pitching. Some guys have track records, most of our guys don’t. Getting somebody that can really take down right-handed hitters, I think is something that everyone knows that we’re looking at.
“But yeah, I think you’re still just trying to get quality players. Whether it ultimately does become a position player, great, and if it’s a reliever, great. But like I said, Andrew, Gomer, they’ve been great at always trying to do things to make our club better.”
Fortunately, the Dodgers don’t need to add a starting pitcher, which typically the most expensive position to address at the annual MLB trade deadline. But Roberts did note the Dodgers’ need for a reliever is as big as what the team faced for a starter last year.
“Yeah, I think so,” Roberts said. “I think just kind of looking at the guys that we lost, and some of the guys that we have, we expect coming back, Treinen and Kopech being one.
“But until you get them back, you just don’t know. And obviously we don’t know where Graterol is at, so just kind of the uncertainty. I would say it’s kind of similar to where we’re at with the starting pitching last year.”
The Dodgers ended up making a trade to acquire Jack Flaherty before the deadline last season, and it should be expected they’ll add a quality arm to the bullpen this year.
Dodgers scouted David Robertson
As part of their search for relief help, the Dodgers scouted and considered free agent David Robertson prior to his signing with the Philadelphia Phillies.
Robertson pitched 72 innings last season for the Texas Rangers, with a 3.00 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 12.38 strikeouts per nine and 34 holds. He signed a prorated $16 million contract for the remainder of the season with the Phillies and was assigned to their Triple-A affiliate.
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