LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers are starting left-handed pitchers — Tarik Skubal on Saturday, Blake Snell on Sunday — in each of the first two games against the Braves, a team that did not hit left-handers well this season at all. But with those southpaw starters, the Dodgers also pared down their bullpen to just three left-handers — everyday stalwarts Tanner Scott and Alex Vesia, plus trade deadline acquisition Kris Bubic, a former starter pitching in relief.
That meant Justin Wrobleski — an All-Star starter
this year now pitching in relief — as well as Jack Dreyer, who was a regular contributor in last year’s postseason as a rookie and was third on the team with 67 appearances despite a stint on the injured list, were left off the NLDS roster.
“I feel like this is the best and deepest pitching staff we’ve ever had going into October,” president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said Saturday. “I think we had some tough conversations in leaving some guys off the roster. That would have never happened before. Obviously things can change. Hopefully we play a lot this month, and things can change, but we left off the roster some really talented pitchers, which I think really speaks to the depth and volume of our staff.”
Another potential addition should the Dodgers advance to the NLCS is Emmet Sheehan, who continued to stretch out while pitching a simulated game during Friday’s work out at Dodger Stadium. Sheehan was optioned to the minors on September 21, and would not be eligible to be added to the Dodgers roster until October 6, once his 15 days on optional assignment are up.
“Just trying to stay ready as best as possible,” Sheehan said Thursday. “I don’t know what the plan would be for how long I would have to be ready to pitch or what, so I’m just ready for whatever they need me to do.”
Sheehan since August 12 between four Triple-A appearances and three games with the Dodgers put up a 0.91 ERA and 36.7-percent strikeout rate in 39 2/3 innings.
“I think it’s just giving myself some time to recover, trying to make sure my body’s in the best spot possible for peaking at this point of the year,” Sheehan said. “I feel really good with where I’m at, and feel like I’ve been able to keep routine.”
Blake Treinen was placed on the injured list on the final day of the regular season, September 27, with right shoulder inflammation, and though his injury was initially feared to be season-ending, there’s at least a chance the veteran right-hander might be ready later in October.
“Not decided firmly. It was clear for this round, but we’ll keep monitoring it as we go,” Friedman said Saturday. “Some shoulder soreness. It’s not surgical, but shoulder stuff.”
Treinen’s 15 days on the injured list don’t expire until October 12, which is the day after the NLCS begins, so it remains unlikely the right-hander would be ready before the World Series, if at all.
Josue De Paula, the 21-year-old named to his first MLB postseason roster on Saturday, spoke with Kirsten Watson at SportsNet LA before Game 1.
