WASHINGTON — After a rough defensive game in Philadelphia last week, Dodgers outfielder Andy Pages sat at his locker with Teoscar Hernandez to his left and Mookie Betts facing him.
Hernandez has been a mentor to Pages. Betts, a six-time Gold Glove winner in the outfield, was offering his counsel as well.
Rookie left-hander Justin Wrobleski had a rough start in Washington on Tuesday, allowing eight runs in five innings. After the game, it was Blake Treinen’s turn to play the part of the veteran offering his wisdom.
“It’s the big leagues. It’s not going to be easy,” Treinen said of the purpose of his post-game visit with Wrobleski. “You can’t beat yourself up. You lose the battle in here, you’re going to lose the battle out there.”
Treinen said the tendency after a teammate has a bad game is often to leave them alone to “process” it. For a young player like Wrobleski, though, that can lead to him feeling isolated at a low point for him.
“It’s hard in this world where everybody has an opinion at the click of a button,” Treinen said. “I don’t know how he processes stuff. But he’s going to be fine. He has good stuff.”
Hearing about the post-game counseling sessions, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said it was representative of the clubhouse culture when it comes to incorporating young players.
“That’s really cool to see from our guys,” Roberts said. “That’s something that I’m very proud of. We get veterans that are trying to pay it forward and help younger guys. We’ve learned as much as anyone how much you need these young players. Obviously Teo and Andy have a great relationship. But for Mookie to spend time, a former outfielder, to reinforce a point. And Blake – not a starter – to see this kid needed some encouragement.
“The thing I love about our club … there’s the focus, the micro of right here, right now or yourself. But the next level is the beyond and others. Those are two separate things. We have more people that can do both things – and value both. That’s the coolest thing.”
FREEMAN RETURN
First baseman Freddie Freeman has been taking live batting practice against minor-league pitchers and running the bases back in Los Angeles and “has come out of it well,” according to Roberts. The expectation is Freeman will be ready to come off the injured list and be in the lineup when the Dodgers face the Chicago Cubs at home on Friday night.
Roberts said from watching video of Freeman’s workouts it looks like the time off has allowed his injured right ankle to heal even more than it was to start the season.
“Just looking at his gait running yesterday, I would say that it’s better than it was when he started the season,” Roberts said. “My eyes say that just running, he’s in a better spot than he was when he started the season with this issue.”
PITCHING MOVE
Right-hander Landon Knack was promoted from Triple-A to make the start against the Washington Nationals on Wednesday. After giving up eight runs in five innings in his spot start on Tuesday, Wrobleski was sent back to OKC.
Wrobleski will not be eligible to be recalled when the Dodgers need starters again next Tuesday and Wednesday unless he is promoted to replace another pitcher who goes on the IL.
ALSO
Right-hander Tony Gonsolin was scheduled to make his second start on a rehab assignment with OKC on Wednesday. Gonsolin went 1⅔ innings in his first rehab start. He is on the IL with a back injury suffered this spring but is also returning from Tommy John surgery performed in August 2023.
UP NEXT
The Dodgers are off Thursday.
Cubs (LHP Matt Boyd, 1-0, 0.00 ERA) at Dodgers (RHP Yoshinobu Yamamoto, 1-1, 1.69 ERA), Friday, 7:10 p.m., SportsNet LA, 570 AM