The Dodgers’ trade deadline wasn’t as much of a flurry as it has been in recent years, with less scrambling than usual in the aftermath of sorting out the various changes to the active roster. But this year all three additions to the 40-man roster are all active one day later, ahead of the Dodgers’ series opener against the Rays.
That’s because Kirby Yates was placed on the 15-day injured list with lower back pain, a move that was retroactive to Tuesday.
The veteran right-hander has struggled this
season with a 4.31 ERA and 3.72 xERA in 39 games, even with his 32.8-percent strikeout rate. The six home runs allowed by Yates this season are double what he gave up all of last season, in nearly double the innings. He’s allowed runs in four of his last seven appearances.
This is the second IL stint this season for Yates, who missed 18 games in May and June with a right hamstring strain.
Brock Stewart and Paul Gervase were activated on Friday, as was outfielder Alex Call. The other corresponding roster moves already happened, with the previously active James Outman and Dustin May both traded away on Thursday.
When it comes to the Dodgers bullpen, the most-used relief corps in the sport, fresh arms are crucial. Stewart, who gives the depleted bullpen extra right-handed help, has only pitched twice in the previous eight days, having pitched last on Sunday and Monday. Gervase has only pitched once in the previous nine days, having thrown two scoreless innings for Triple-A Durham with three strikeouts last Friday.
Stewart allowed two runs in July after allowing two runs in June, and he has walked only one of his last 30 batters faced.
Once Stewart and/or Gervase get into a game, they’ll add to the 37 different pitchers already used by the Dodgers this season. The only team to use more pitchers in 2025 are the Mets, who through Thursday have used 39 pitchers.
Call had a pair of multi-hit games for the Nationals in the last week, including a home run last Saturday against the Twins. The righty-hitting Call wasn’t used in a strict platoon with Washington, but he did start 25 of 28 games against left-handed starting pitchers, and started 29 of 80 games against right-handers.
The Dodgers this weekend are scheduled to face three right-handed Rays starters, with Shane Baz on Friday, Drew Rasmussen on Saturday, and Joe Boyle on Sunday. Call isn’t in the Friday lineup for the series opener.
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