‘Injury Ward’ LA Dodgers played a game on Bullpen Day, but it was not successful.
The Dodgers knelt 3-7 in an away game against the 2023 Major League Philadelphia Phillies held at Citizens Bank Park in Pennsylvania, USA on the 12th (Korean time). The bullpen was mobilized that day, but it struggled, giving 13 hits and 4 walks to Philadelphia.먹튀검증
There are only eight pitchers on the mound for the Dodgers. The starting pitcher was Caleb Ferguson, followed by Victor Gonzalez, Tyler Scott, Adam Colarek, Yancy Almonte, Alex Becia, Nick Robertson and Bruce Graterol.
There is a reason why the bullpen was fully mobilized. This is because players who were named in the starting rotation were away due to injuries. Julio Urias complained of pain in his left hamstring, and Noah Syndergaard suffered a blister on his right index finger. Dustin May suffered right forearm pain and Walker Buehler underwent Tommy John surgery. There are only four people normally circulating the starting lineup: Tony Gonsolin, Clayton Kershaw, Bobby Miller, and Michael Brove.
▲ Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts.
In fact, if Yurias had returned normally, he would not have had to play on Bullpen Day. However, Yurias complained of hamstring pain again while pitching in the bullpen. In a situation where it is unclear when Yurias will return, the Dodgers are putting their heart and soul into preventing additional injuries. Gonsolin could have played today, but due to his history of injuries, he decided to give him another day off.
MLB.com, the official homepage of Major League Baseball, also focused on the current situation of the Dodgers. The media said, ‘Considering the injury and internal circumstances of Yurias, it is realistic for the Dodgers to operate the team with a bullpen day every five games.’ Dodgers manager Dave Roberts also said, “We’re working to take care of Gonsolin’s health. We thought a bullpen day would be best.”
The Dodgers have had similar experiences in the past. In the second half of 2021, the Dodgers left four key starting pitchers, including Kershaw, Urias, Gonsolin, and May, due to injuries. The media said, “At the time, the Dodgers used bullpen pitchers such as Andre Jackson, Mitch White, and David Price as openers or played games as bullpen days.”
▲Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts (right) is changing pitchers.
However, this year, the report card that appears in numbers is different from 2021. The average ERA of the Dodgers pitching staff this year is 4.49, ranking 22nd among 30 major league teams. The starting pitcher’s ERA was 4.29, ranking 16th, and the bullpen’s ERA was 4.76, ranking 27th. Recorded an average ERA of 3.01 in 2021. It’s in contrast to the one that came in first place.
Regarding this, manager Roberts said, “The most important thing is that players who have been sluggish are expected to do better in the future. It is my job to use everyone from the starting pitcher to the bullpen in the right situation. The players also have to do their part. All 13 players have outstanding talent,” he said, hoping that the team’s situation would be better than now.
The media said, ‘The Dodgers can make improvements to the pitching staff internally, such as players recovering health or regaining their former form. Of course, as the August 2 trade deadline approaches, external options are worth considering.”