The Los Angeles Dodgers are currently in the backend of playing 20 games in 20 days, and have taken action to help offset some of the wear it can have on their pitching staff.
Mike Bolsinger was reinstated from the 15-day disabled list on Wednesday, in order to make a spot start against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Temporarily slotting Bolsinger into the rotation provided the five starting pitchers with an extra day of rest prior to their next turn.
However, in addition to the multitude of games, the bullpen isn’t getting much help from starters not named Clayton Kershaw.
In their starts throughout the week, Kenta Maeda, Bolsinger and Ross Stripling all failed to make it out of the fifth inning, which forced manager Dave Roberts to call upon an already-shaky bullpen earlier than desired.
That played a role in the Dodgers optioning Bolsinger to Triple-A Oklahoma City the day after his start, and calling up Chin-Hui Tsao from OKC. The roster move left the Dodgers with eight relievers and a short bench (four players).
According to AM 570 LA Sports Radio DodgerTalk host David Vassegh, the Dodgers will stick with that roster construction through their upcoming series against the Cincinnati Reds:
#Dodgers will keep extra reliever and have short bench thru Cincy series #Dodgers
— David Vassegh (@THEREAL_DV) May 21, 2016
Tsao tossed a 1-2-3 eighth inning against the Angels on Thursday. He appeared in five games for the Dodgers last season, posting a 10.29 ERA, 7.99 FIP and 2.57 WHIP. His ERA was largely a byproduct of allowing six runs in just 0.2 innings pitched.
Tsao otherwise allowed two runs or less in his five other games pitched. The Dodgers bullpen enters play on Saturday with a 4.50 ERA, which ranks 22nd in the Majors. Chris Hatcher, among those who have struggled, had a closed-door meeting with manager Dave Roberts.
