The Los Angeles Dodgers clinched the National League West faster than any club in franchise history since the team moved from Brooklyn, and unlike last season when the division went to the final game, there is time to now focus on player health heading into postseason.
Multiple arms from the backend of the bullpen have been on the mend of late, mainly Blake Treinen, Yency Altmote and Brusdar Graterol. Each of whom, when healthy, figure to have a great impact once the playoffs begin.
As the Dodgers shifted down on Wednesday against the Arizona Diamondbacks and provided some much-needed rest to a majority of their lineup, Roberts shared positive updates on Almonte, Gavin Lux, Treinen, Tony Gonsolin, Graterol and David Price, via SportsNetLA:
“We had a busy day. Started out with Yency on the mound, I think it was 25 pitches, and it was coming out hot. Gavin took some live at-bats, which was great. He looked good. Then we moved to the bullpen, and saw Blake Treinen throw. For me, it looked normal. He wasn’t guarding, it was clean, the stuff was good. So I expect him to face hitters in the coming days.
“Then Brusdar threw a ‘pen that was really good. Really positive day. I didn’t get a chance to see Gonsolin’s ‘pen; I heard it was encouraging, velocity ticked up. And I just found out David Price threw a ‘pen too.”
Lux became a steady bat at the bottom of the Dodgers lineup until he began to deal with a neck issue that required some rest. From July 2 to Sept. 1, Lux hit .293/.378/.487 to go along with a 143 wRC+. He potentially could return to the lineup as early as Friday.
The Dodgers certainly missed Almonte and his 1.15 ERA in 29 games pitched prior to his injury, along with Treinen, who has shown he’s one of the best relief pitchers when on the mound in high-leverage spots.
Gonsolin taking a step forward in his recovery also was encouraging as he previously was said to have been progressing slowly.
Graterol’s elbow injury was considered minor, and Price previously expressed confidence he would recover from left wrist trouble in time for the postseason.
Freeman tried to convince Roberts to skip planned rest day after Dodgers clinched
As had long been planned, Freddie Freeman was not in the Dodgers lineup the night after they clinched the NL West. It marked Freeman’s first time not starting this season, and came despite efforts to convince Roberts to go back on the agreement and pencil him in.
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