The Los Angeles Dodgers, maybe as much as any other team in the majors, has seen their pitching staff get repeatedly hit with injuries.
Overall, the Dodgers currently have 10 pitchers on the injured list. And now that Clayton Kershaw has landed there, that makes a clean sweep of all the starters to have some injury issue this season.
Kershaw was placed on the IL July 3, retroactive to June 30, due to a shoulder issue. Kershaw told reporters on the Monday that he is trending upwards, and feels confident that he will be ready to go after the All-Star break.
The most heartbreaking injury so far happened to reliever Daniel Hudson. While earning his first save in over a year, Hudson sprained his right MCL and it is unclear if he can return this season. Hudson just returned from the IL after his left ACL was surgically repaired. He had only pitched three innings so far this season, all scoreless and only allowing three hits. Roberts had said on his return that Hudson was “an adult” in the bullpen and the bullpen would benefit greatly from his return.
Another pitcher who will not be returning this season is Dustin May. The team announced Tuesday that May will undergo surgery on his right elbow to repair his flexor tendon. He will also undergo a Tommy John revision for a Grade 2 sprain of his UCL. The hope is he can return midseason next year.
And one pitcher who might be on his way back is Noah Syndergaard. He will throw another bullpen, and then go out on a rehab stint with Triple-A Oklahoma City in a week or so. Manager Dave Roberts said they still see Syndergaard as a starter, but part of the conversation will be around if “the stuff plays at the major league level” once it gets to that point.
Syndergaard threw three simulated innings today off the mound at Dodger Stadium. Reports were that Thor was looking much better than he had, and that his fastball was back to touching 94 MPH.
For Friday night’s game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Mookie Betts is once again starting at second base. It’s his third time in four games, and it seems he is replacing Miguel Vargas.
Roberts told reporters before that game that there is a possibility of Vargas being sent down to Triple-A to figure out his issues at the plate. Vargas’s batting average is down to .197/.300/.370 on the season and he is 5 for his last 62.
Roberts said “everything is on the table” when asked if Vargas could be optioned. However, were that to happen, it would likely be after the All-Star break, if at all.
Landon Knack is on the taxi squad and will remain there through Saturday. He was brought along in case Brusdar Graterol had to be placed on the IL. So far, that isn’t the case. Tony Gonsolin will start Friday night’s game, and the current plan for Saturday’s game is for Michael Grove to get the bulk of the innings, either as a starter or after an opener.
The Dodgers are off on Sunday, and will resume play Friday the 14th in New York against the Mets.