With the MLB trade deadline on July 31 quickly approaching, one area that the Los Angeles Dodgers will almost certainly address is their bullpen.
The Dodgers’ relief corps has been heavily relied on this season as they lead the Majors with 440.2 innings pitched. That can be attributed in part to numerous injuries ravaging the starting rotation.
While the group has gotten healthier in recent weeks, L.A. would still benefit from adding another reliever to their overworked bullpen that currently lacks a sufficient number of reliable options.
According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Dodgers have looked into several intriguing relievers, including the Baltimore Orioles’ Félix Bautista, Ryan Helsley of the St. Louis Cardinals, the Pittsburgh Pirates’ David Bednar and Emmanuel Clase of the Cleveland Guardians:
It leaves the Dodgers scouring the market, talking with the Minnesota Twins about Jhoan Duran and Griffin Jax of the Minnesota Twins, Bautista of the Baltimore Orioles, Ryan Helsley of the St. Louis Cardinals, David Bednar of the Pittsburgh Pirates and Emmanuel Clase of the Cleveland Guardians.
A previous report had also linked the Dodgers to Minnesota Twins relievers Jhoan Duran and Griffin Jax, but it’s unclear if the team will decide to sell at the deadline.
In addition to potential upgrades, the Dodgers bullpen should be getting some reinforcements with Blake Treinen, Brusdar Graterol and Michael Kopech all expected to return before the end of the regular season.
Treinen is currently on a Minor League rehab assignment, while Kopech might be the farthest away from returning after undergoing right knee surgery for a torn meniscus.
Dodgers bullpen trade
The Dodgers made a minor move to address their bullpen last month when they acquired Zach Penrod from the Boston Red Sox in exchange for cash considerations.
Penrod reported to Triple-A Oklahoma City and owns a 2.08 ERA in four appearances with the Comets. Because he is on the Dodgers’ 40-man roster, the left-hander could factor into the Major League bullpen at some point this season.
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