SAN DIEGO — Ben Casparius has been one of the most effective pitchers in the Dodgers’ overworked bullpen, posting a 2.93 ERA and 1.00 WHIP while taking down multiple innings in 14 of his first 21 appearances this season.
It’s a luxury the Dodgers might no longer be able to afford.
Casparius started against the San Diego Padres on Wednesday afternoon and Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said the rookie right-hander will continue to pitch as an interim addition to the starting rotation while the Dodgers wait for other starters like Emmet Sheehan, Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow to get healthy.
“With things that are going on with the rotation, obviously the way Ben’s performed, being a former starting pitcher – we like this kind of transition right now,” Roberts said Wednesday before Casparius took the mound against the Padres.
The loss of Tony Gonsolin to an elbow injury – becoming the 14th pitcher and eighth starter currently on the Dodgers’ injured list – “created a different opportunity for Ben, or a need, any way you want to look at it,” Roberts said.
Casparius was primarily a starting pitcher while coming up through the minors then pitched out of the bullpen three times for the Dodgers last season. He pitched out of the bullpen three more times during the National League Championship Series against the New York Mets then pitched two innings as an opener in a bullpen game in Game 4 of the World Series.
“He obviously came up as a starter,” Roberts said after Casparius went four innings on Wednesday, allowing just one run. “By way of need and where we were at, we felt that there was more value out of the ’pen and being kind of a versatile-type reliever. But where we are at now currently, he’s certainly showing that he’s one of five. I’m not sure of his next turn. But the next time he’s on the mound, it will be as a starter.”
With the bullpen fortified by the returns of Kirby Yates and Michael Kopech last weekend, moving Casparius back to his former role as a starter might be the best way to use him now, Roberts acknowledged.
“I think that’s internally kind of figuring out how we get through this period before we get other guys back to health,” Roberts said. “What’s best for Ben, what’s best for our ballclub in this moment in time. Those are the conversations.
“He’s in for whatever is asked of him.”
QUAD ISSUE
Already hindered by his surgically repaired ankle, Freddie Freeman did not seem to be moving well late in Tuesday night’s game. Roberts revealed Wednesday that Freeman is also dealing with “a little quad thing” now.
“My deal with him is that, if you’re going to play today, stay in the game last night, then manage it,” Roberts said. “So let’s not go crazy on the bases. … If you’re not giving 110 percent down the line, that’s no problem.”
SLUMPING TEO
In his first 20 games since returning from a groin injury that sidelined him for two weeks, Teoscar Hernandez has hit .171 (13 for 76) with a .220 on-base percentage and .276 slugging percentage. That extended slump prompted Roberts to drop Hernandez in the lineup Wednesday, batting him fifth behind Will Smith.
“I think certainly, he’s missing pitches, like with most hitters when they’re struggling,” Roberts said. “Balls that he should move forward, he’s not. With that, there’s more chase, because he’s getting behind. I think that’s the hitting part of it. I talk to him a lot. He says he feels good. I think that Will is swinging the bat better. So I want Will to get the extra at-bat. So when Will is in there, I’ll leave it that way until Teo gets back to being who he is. Because I love him in the four when he’s right. But clearly the last few weeks, he’s been scuffling.”
Roberts said Hernandez and the training staff “assure (me) that physically he’s fine.” But Hernandez does not seem to be moving as well on defense since returning.
“He hasn’t been a burner the last couple years,” Roberts said of Hernandez, who spent much of last season playing left field before moving back to his preferred right field full time this season. “I think at times, he’s moving fine. At times, I think that he doesn’t seem as free with the lower half. But again, from him, from the training staff, he’s fine.”
Roberts acknowledged that “there’s plays that need to be made in right field and we’ve got to make those plays.” But Roberts said there is no plan to move Hernandez back to left field.
After hitting a three-run home run Wednesday, Hernandez affirmed that he is not playing hurt but just has had difficulty getting back up to game speed.
“I feel really good. My body feels really good,” he said. “I don’t feel anything on my groin anymore. It’s just more about timing, pitch selection, just trying to put good swings.”
UP NEXT
The Dodgers are off Thursday.
Giants (TBA) at Dodgers (RHP Yoshinobu Yamamoto, 6-4, 2.20 ERA), Friday, 7:10 p.m., SportsNet LA, 570 AM