Justin Wrobleski rejoined the Los Angeles Dodgers earlier this month to make a spot start against the St. Louis Cardinals, but he has since taken on a more significant role out of the bullpen.
The left-hander has provided at least 4.1 innings in three consecutive appearances as a reliever, allowing a combined four runs and collecting 15 strikeouts against two walks during the span.
Wrobleski was key in the Dodgers’ 9-7 win over the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday as he allowed only two runs over five innings of work as the bulk pitcher. He recorded a career-high seven strikeouts and picked up his third win of the season.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts praised Wrobleski for being capable of adapting to different situations and still performing well, via SportsNet LA:
“I think he’s given us the flexibility, same as Casparius, in the sense of, if we want to start him, great. Feel like he can take down 90 to 100 pitches. And if we want to have somebody in front of him, he can come in and it’s not new to him.”
Although a starter by trade, Wrobleski has shown that he is comfortable taking on multiple roles, whether it’s following an opener or covering the middle innings of a de facto bullpen game.
The 24-year-old’s ability to log multiple frames has especially been valuable to an overworked Dodgers bullpen that leads the Majors in innings pitched by a wide margin.
In four relief appearances this season, Wrobleski owns a 3-0 record with a 1.96 ERA and 0.87 WHIP across 18.1 innings pitched. As a starter, he is 0-2 with a 9.82 ERA and 1.82 WHIP in 11 innings.
Dodgers comfortable using Justin Wrobleski out of bullpen
Roberts previously expressed confidence that Wrobleski would thrive in a bullpen role for the Dodgers.
“He’s certainly a starter, but for the role, what we need from him right now is to be efficient,” Roberts said of Wrobleski.
“And it seems like out of the ‘pen, the stuff has ticked up. He’s been efficient, he’s going after guys.”
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