The Los Angeles Dodgers bullpen has been a bright point to begin the 2022 season and that has come without much help from multiple players who were expected to be key contributors, including Victor González and Blake Treinen.
González was surprisingly placed on the 10-day injured list when the Dodgers set their Opening Day roster. The left-hander had a strong spring and looked like a lock for the bullpen but started dealing with left elbow inflammation prior to the season beginning.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts believed González could return by the end of May, but that now appears to be off the table.
González is set to undergo a cleanup procedure on his left elbow that will keep him out of action longer than previously anticipated, but he should still return at some point this season, according to Jack Harris of the L.A. Times:
Left-handed reliever Victor González is set to undergo an arthroscopic surgery — also known as a scope — on his elbow Wednesday to remove debridement. Roberts said González should be back at some point this season but that the team won’t know his exact timetable until after the procedure.
After struggling for most of 2021, González reworked his body and shed weight, and went into camp with a completely new look. That translated into a phenomenal Spring Training as González looked to return to his 2020 form when he was arguably the best reliever in the Dodgers’ bullpen.
González could be another mid-to-late season addition to the Dodgers’ pitching staff, along with Dustin May, Danny Duffy, and Treinen, who are all expected to return this season after the All-Star break. Along with them, Caleb Ferguson has already begun pitching in rehab games and Andrew Heaney started throwing again.
Dodgers pitching prospect makes 2022 debut
Landon Knack has become one of the top Dodgers pitching prospects, but his start to the season was delayed due to dealing with a soft tissue injury.
On Saturday, Knack finally returned to the mound and started for the Double-A Tulsa Drillers in their matchup against the Wichita Wind Surge, a Minnesota Twins affiliate. The 24-year-old prospect only pitched two innings as he builds his arm back up, but overall enjoyed positive results.
Knack struck out four of the 11 hitters faced and saw his fastball sit 96-97 mph while topping out at 99 mph. Knack did allow a home run, RBI double and walked a batter. He finished his day throwing 53 pitches, 34 for strikes, and forced three groundouts.
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