Corey Knebel threw approximately 22 pitches off the Dodger Stadium mound to hitters on Thursday. The last six or seven, he said, left him feeling good.
“Four of those were curveballs and they were great,” the veteran right-hander said. “I’m close.”
Those words should come as a relief to the Dodgers, who have found Knebel difficult to replace ever since he strained his right lat in April. The 29-year-old right-hander made six straight scoreless appearances to start the season, saving two games and picking up the win in another. It was a small preview, but hitters swung and missed at 17 percent of the pitches Knebel threw – a mark of elite deception and an outstanding sign that his curveball and fastball had returned to their pre-2019 form.
The Dodgers acquired Knebel from the Milwaukee Brewers last December, taking on some risk in a pitcher who had thrown all of 13⅓ major league innings the previous two seasons combined. Now that three months have passed since he threw his last pitch, Knebel’s absence is felt dearly. He will begin a minor league rehabilitation assignment in the coming days, with a goal of returning sometime in August.
“It’s going to be a new trade chip, an acquisition,” Manager Dave Roberts said, “a guy who’s been through pennant races, pitched in postseason games. When (other pitchers) are taxed, logging innings, to get (Knebel) back fresh is something we’re excited about.”
Nine of the 13 pitchers on the Dodgers’ Opening Day roster have missed time this season due to injuries or, in the case of Trevor Bauer, administrative leave. The first pitcher summoned from the minor leagues (Dennis Santana) was ultimately designated for assignment. The second (Alex Vesia) returned to Triple-A one day later. It was an omen of the revolving door to come.
When David Price moved into the starting rotation on a long-term basis, it left four healthy relievers in the Dodgers’ bullpen with postseason experience.
The Dodgers know Knebel’s postseason work well. They faced him six times in the seven-game 2018 National League Championship Series. He allowed just one run across seven innings.
“I know we’re not going to rush him,” Roberts said. “He’s saved competitive-game bullets with the injury. There’s no cemented plan right now, we just want to make sure he’s 100 percent when he comes back.”
While his fastball command is typically quick to return once he gets on a mound, Knebel said, “the curveball’s always the one that’s tougher. Once I can control that, and control the running game, I’m in a good spot.”
Pitchers have up to 30 days to complete their minor league rehab assignments. Knebel doesn’t believe he will need that long, saying 15 to 20 days ought to do. His affiliate team is to be determined.
BETTS AILING
Mookie Betts was held out of the starting lineup for the fifth consecutive game because of a hip pointer on his right side. Billy McKinney, whom the Dodgers acquired Wednesday from the New York Mets for minor league outfielder Carlos Rincon, got the start in right field.
Betts remains day-to-day. He struck out as a pinch hitter in the ninth inning Monday against the Giants in his only at-bat over the last five games.
Roberts acknowledged the 10-day injured list has been discussed internally as a possibility for Betts. Last week, the former American League MVP got four days’ rest when he elected not to participate in the All-Star Game. Still, Betts’ injury is serious enough that playing daily doesn’t make sense, Roberts said, “until we can get him to a point where we feel when he’s out there, the contribution is worth him going through the pain he’s going through.”
“If he were (playing daily) he would be considerably limited,” Roberts said of Betts. “Right there, makes my decision a lot easier for this particular day. It’s more about revisiting him each day and seeing where his pain level is at.”
ALSO
Pitcher Jimmy Nelson (right forearm inflammation) threw to live hitters pregame as well. Roberts said the right-hander will not need a minor league rehab assignment before he returns, potentially as early as Sunday. … The Dodgers have officially signed three of their 20 draft picks, including first-rounder Maddux Bruns, a left-handed pitcher out of UMS Wright Prep School in Alabama. … Pitchers Lael Lockhart (ninth round, University of Arkansas) and Michael Hobbs (10th round, St. Mary’s College) are the other early signees. … Sunday’s pitching matchup will not reflect the weather forecast for Los Angeles: Colorado’s Jon Gray is slated to oppose the Dodgers’ Josiah Gray.
UP NEXT
Rockies (RHP Chi Chi Gonzalez, 3-6, 5.99 ERA) at Dodgers (LHP David Price, 4-0, 3.12), Friday, 7:10 p.m., SportsNet LA, 570 AM
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