Injuries were an endless issue for the Los Angeles Dodgers throughout the 2024 season and into the playoffs, and some of that has already resurfaced this year.
Specifically with respect to the bullpen, as the Dodgers’ Opening Day roster for the Tokyo Series is going to be without several expected regulars.
Brusdar Graterol underwent right shoulder surgery during the offseason and was already projected to be out until after the All-Star break. 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 at the outset of camp.
The list of injuries have created an opportunity for Ben Casparius, who Dodgers manager Dave Roberts indicated is likely to be on the Opening Day roster, per Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic:
Dave Roberts suggested there’s a good chance that Ben Casparius breaks camp with the Dodgers as a multi-inning reliever type.
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) March 5, 2025
Casparius was among the pitchers who made his MLB debut last season, and he also was on the Dodgers’ roster throughout most of the playoffs.
That began when Casparius was selected as a replacement for the injured Michael Grove before Game 3 of the National League Division Series. Casparius did not pitch against the San Diego Padres, but appeared in both the NL Chamionship Series and World Series.
Grove also isn’t on track for Opening Day in Tokyo, due to the right shoulder injury delaying the start of his throwing program.
Casparius’ odds have been further boosted by Edgardo Henriquez suffering a left foot injury that Roberts has only said occurred away from the field. Roberts’ repeated declining to provide specifics of Henriquez’s injury suggests a lapse in judgement was at play.
Ben Casparius stats
Casparius went a combined 6-4 with a 3.35 ERA and 106 strikeouts in 88.2 innings pitched across 21 games (19 starts) with Double-A Tulsa and Triple-A Oklahoma City last year.
He only appeared in three games for the Dodgers, with each coming out of the bullpen. Casparius was 2-0 with 2.16 ERA and 1.56 WHIP in those appearances.
During the postseason the right-hander went 1-0 with a 1.42 ERA and 1.26 WHIP while collecting five strikeouts over 6.1 innings in four games (one start).
Projected Dodgers Opening Day bullpen
The group of traditional relief pitchers the Dodgers figure to include on their Opening Day roster for the Tokyo Series should consist of Anthony Banda, Casparius, Blake Treinen, Tanner Scott and Kirby Yates.
Tony Gonsolin, Dustin May and Landon Knack also figure to be part of the pitching staff as starters who can provide length if needed. Jack Dreyer is another candidate to be on the Dodgers roster in Tokyo.
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