With Sept. 1 just around the corner, the Los Angeles Dodgers pitching staff is about to get some reinforcements for the home stretch of the season. Some of those may arrive via Minor League call-ups, but the club additionally has pitchers who are working their way back from injury.
One of those is reliever Dylan Floro, who was recently recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City but made just one appearance on Aug. 20 against the Toronto Blue Jays before being placed on the 10-day injured list with a left intercostal strain.
It appears the injury was not all that serious though as Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Floro threw a bullpen session Monday at Petco Park and came out of it feeling healthy, via Ken Gurnick of MLB.com:
“Flo threw today and looked really good,” Roberts said. “His entire mix. It was a good day for Dylan. I saw the way the ball was coming out. He’s been working hard and he’s healthy and I can feel his excitement.”
The next step for Floro is expected to be a rehab assignment with High-A Rancho Cucamonga on Thursday and barring any setbacks, he could be activated on Sept. 1 when rosters expand.
Another pitcher who has been out for a little longer but the Dodgers are hoping will be able to return and make an impact in the postseason is Rich Hill.
Hill hasn’t pitched since June 19 due to a left forearm flexor strain, but he is also making progress in his rehab. Hill threw his first bullpen session on Saturday and Roberts reported that he is scheduled for another one Tuesday that will incorporate breaking balls for the first time:
Hill is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Tuesday, his second since suffering his injury and first to include curveballs, which require the kind of torque that will truly test his injury.
The Dodgers are hoping that Hill will be able to return in time to get built enough to be their fourth starter in the postseason. If he is unable to do that, they still envision him in a potential bullpen role.
In addition to Floro and Hill, the Dodgers should also be getting back David Freese, Kristopher Negrón, Ross Stripling and Tyler White at or around Sept. 1. Alex Verdugo is also another key piece expected back shortly after that.
With so many players capable of contributing on a potential postseason roster, Roberts should have some tough decisions to make down the road.
