Since the Los Angeles Dodgers hired Dave Roberts as manager, one of the strengths highlighted has been his infectious, upbeat personality. Roberts welcomed the challenge of taking the reins of a club with high expectations as a first-year manager head-on, though at this point even he may be surprised by the difficulties that have come to light.
The Dodgers’ pitching depth in recent weeks has been decimated by injury, with Mike Bolsinger the latest to get snakebit. He was scratched minutes before taking the mound on Sunday as he felt pain while warming up in the bullpen.
Although a general timetable suggests otherwise, Bolsinger believes he can return from the injury in one week. The Dodgers are already on track to begin the regular season with Brett Anderson, Brandon McCarthy, Frankie Montas and Hyun-Jin Ryu unavailable.
In light of the onslaught of injuries the pitching staff has absorbed, Roberts admitted to feeling some frustration, according to Ken Gurnick of MLB.com:
“It just keeps happening, I guess. Bolsinger has a mild oblique strain, whatever that means, and whatever it takes we’ll know as days go on. He’ll get treatment and see where it goes from there. You win with pitching and defense. Look where we were at the start of camp and where we are now, it’s a little frustrating. Every team goes through it in some capacity. It’s another obstacle for us to deal with.”
With Brandon Beachy’s inconsistent outings and now tendinitis in his throwing arm, and Zach Lee getting optioned to Minor League camp on Sunday, Bolsinger had essentially to secured the fifth spot in the Dodgers’ rotation.
Lee now figures to reenter the picture and is a candidate to have his option cancelled. On top of pitchers battling various malaises, Yasmani Grandal (forearm contusion), Alex Guerrero (left knee soreness), Howie Kendrick (groin), Corey Seager (left knee sprain) and Scott Van Slyke (hip flexor) have also battled injury.
