The Los Angeles Dodgers are dealing with several injuries this spring that have cut into their projected bullpen depth as the start of the regular season fast approaches.
Brusdar Graterol was a known case due to undergoing right shoulder surgery. Meanwhile, the likes of Evan Phillips (tear in back of right rotator cuff), Michael Kopech (right forearm inflammation) and Michael Grove (right shoulder) fell behind early in camp and were ruled out for the Dodgers’ Opening Day roster.
According to Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group, that list has now grown to include Dodgers prospect Edgardo Henriquez because of a left foot injury he suffered away from the team:
Right-hander Edgardo Henriquez was wearing a walking boot on his left foot in the clubhouse before Tuesday’s workout. Roberts said Henriquez injured a metatarsal in the foot and “won’t be ready for the season.”
Roberts did not share details of how Henriquez suffered the injury, calling it “a mishap” that did not occur on a baseball field.
Roberts declining to share details surrounding Henriquez’s foot injury suggests the young right-hander had a lapse in judgement. Such occurred last season with Anthony Banda taking out frustration with an appearance by hitting left fist against a paper towel dispenser.
Banda suffered a left hand fracture that caused him to miss just over two weeks.
Roberts indicated Henriquez is due to miss at least one month and potentially up to six weeks. That timeline rules out the intriguing Dodgers prospect not only for the Tokyo Series but also the Dodger Stadium opener later in the month.
Given the rash of injuries to relief pitchers and Henriquez’s potential, he was likely among the top candidates to be included on the Dodgers’ Opening Day roster.
Edgardo Henriquez stats
As part of a deep farm system, Henriquez was identified last season as a Dodgers prospect who was expected to garner interest at the trade deadline.
The 22-year-old remained with the Dodgers and went on to make his MLB debut in September. Henriquez helped break a Dodgers franchise record for most pitchers with at least one save in a single season, and he was included on the team’s playoff rosters for the National League Division Series and Championship Series.
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