We are less than a day before Thursday’s 3 p.m. PT trade deadline, and the Dodgers haven’t made any trades just yet. Wednesday saw a slew of relief pitchers on the move to other teams:
- Phillies got closer Jhoan Durán from the Twins
- Mets got Tyler Rogers from the Giants
- Mets got Ryan Helsley from the Cardinals
- Reds got Taylor Rogers from the Pirates, though the headliner was third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes to Cincinnati
- Braves got Tyler Kinley from the Rockies
- Angels got Andrew Chafin and old friend Luis Garcia from the Nationals
- Mariners got old friend Caleb Ferguson from the Pirates
It would be a surprise if the Dodgers did not acquire a reliever by Thursday. After all, they’ve added a high-leverage reliever at each of the last three deadlines — Chris Martin in 2022, Joe Kelly (and Ryan Yarbrough) in 2023, Michael Kopech in 2024.
Why the Dodgers need relief help is the easiest part of the equation.
For one, every team needs relief help, especially in the era of churning through arms at a record pace. The Dodgers lead the majors in relief usage, with their 470 innings one out shy of a full 40-inning lead over the second-most, a lowly White Sox team on pace to lose 104 games.
The Dodgers’ 393 relief appearances are also more than any other team, with manager Dave Roberts likely getting all of his recommended daily steps in on in-game mound visits alone.
Pitching is and has been a volume play for the Dodgers, amassing as much talent as possible and hope enough arms are healthy enough come October. At the moment the infirmary is loaded with high-leverage arms. Tanner Scott (elbow inflammation) and Michael Kopech (meniscus surgery) might be back for the September push. Same for Bursdar Graterol, who hasn’t yet pitched this season after November shoulder surgery.
Blake Treinen missed over three months with forearm tightness, and is only one game into his return. Kirby Yates has been mostly healthy but has struggled. Evan Phillips had Tommy John surgery, ending his season. Three different Dodgers have recorded saves on this road trip alone.
So it’s not a matter of if the Dodgers will acquire a relief pitcher by Thursday, but rather which pitcher(s) they will acquire.
More from truebluela.com:
- Dodgers blank the Pirates behind Ross Stripling, trio of homers
- Andrew Toles returns to Triple-A lineup after missing 46 games
- Dodgers 2018 MLB draft tracker
- Caleb Ferguson to join Dodgers for major league debut
- Position players headline Day 2 of the draft for the Dodgers
- Dodgers draft LHP John Rooney in the 3rd round, No. 104 overall
