LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Dodgers look to pitchers not only within their organization, but around the entire league in hopes to provide depth in their pitching rotation. With the Dodgers clinching the NL West division, pitching becomes the topic of discussion heading into the postseason.
The Dodgers currently have 11 pitchers listed on the injured list (IL), starting with right-hand pitcher Walker Buehler who is still rehabbing after his second procedure towards reconstructing his ulnar collateral ligament in his elbow in August 2022. Right-hand pitcher Dustin May was put on the IL on July 19 and underwent right flexor tendon and UCL reconstruction surgery that ruled him out for the year. Right-hand pitcher Tony Gonsolin hurt his elbow and was put on the IL on Aug. 23 then received Tommy John surgery. And right-hander Blake Trinen is currently on a rehab assignment for his shoulder with Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Even with all of the injuries and new additions, the Dodgers still have veteran pitching and returners in the bullpen. After dealing with a left shoulder injury earlier in the season, Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw started in 22 games, pitching 121.1 innings and recording a 2.52 ERA. Along with Kershaw, the Dodgers still utilize veteran bullpen pitchers Caleb Ferguson, Alex Vesia, Brusdar Graterol and closer Evan Phillips.
Back on July 28, 2023, the Dodgers acquired veteran pitchers Lance Lynn and Joe Kelly before the trade deadline. Lynn has become one of the Dodgers starting pitchers, with a 6-2 record through 58 innings pitched. With eight starting appearances, Lynn recorded a 4.50 ERA with 43 strikeouts.
Lynn currently sits as the Dodgers’ day-two starter. Kelly was activated from the 15-day IL last Wednesday after dealing with right forearm inflammation. Kelly recorded a 2.16 ERA with 16 strikeouts on a 1-0 record through 8.1 innings pitched.
After three seasons in the Dodgers Minor League organization, right-hand pitcher Bobby Miller has stepped into the Dodgers starting rotation. In his 2023 campaign, Miller has pitched 113.1 innings and currently has a 3.97 ERA. Miller has a 10-4 record, starting 20 games and striking out 106 batters. Miller has a five-pitch arsenal consisting of a four-seam fastball, sinker, slider, changeup and curveball. His fastball has an average velocity of 99.1 MPH, which ranks eighth amongst all pitchers across the league for the highest average four-seam fastball velocity. Miller currently sits as the Dodgers day-three starter.
The Dodgers day four starter, Ryan Pepiot, has been up and down for the organization, pitching 36 innings for the Dodgers in 2022 and then getting optioned to Triple-A during the 2023 season. After getting called back up on Aug. 30, the righty has 33 innings pitched with a 1.91 ERA. Pepiot has appeared in six games for the Dodgers, three being starts, and has struck out 26 opposing batters. Pepiot holds a three-pitch arsenal consisting of a four-seam fastball, a changeup and a slider.
The Dodgers look to right-hand pitcher Gavin Stone to be the club’s potential day-five starter. Stone was optioned down to Triple-A back on May 30 before receiving the call back up to the Dodgers on July 3. Stone has appeared in eight games for the Dodgers, starting four. Stone has a 1-1 record pitching in 31 innings, striking out 22 opposing batters. Stone has a 9.00 ERA but still manages to maneuver through opponents with his six-pitch repertoire. With an average fastball velocity of 94 MPH, he caters to his fastball by resorting to his go-to pitch, the changeup.
Another potential option for the Dodger’s fifth starting pitcher spot would be Emmett Sheehan.
Sheehan was called up from Double-A Tulsa on June 16 to make his Dodger debut. After eight games, with seven of those games being starts, the Dodgers sent Sheehan down to Triple-A on Aug. 3. On Sep. 1, the Dodgers called Sheehan back up from Triple-A. After being called up, Sheehan appeared in four more games, adding three more starts. Sheehan has accumulated 54.1 innings pitched over the 2023 season. With an ERA of 5.13, Sheehan has a 3-1 record with 54 strikeouts. Sheehan’s arsenal consists of a four-seam fastball, slider, changeup and sweeper.
In the bullpen, the Dodgers acquired right-hand pitcher Ryan Brasier from the Boston Red Sox. After appearing in 20 games for the Red Sox and being released, Brasier signed a contract with the Dodgers on June 4 that would send him to the Dodgers Triple-A team in Oklahoma City. After two appearances, the Dodgers called up Brasier on June 20. In 37 appearances and 36.2 innings pitched, Brasier has a 2-0 record with a 0.74 ERA.
Along with the recent transactions, the Dodgers have also utilized relief pitchers Ryan Yarbrough and Shelby Miller. Yarbrough was acquired by the Dodgers from the Kansas City Royals on Aug. 1. With 10 appearances and 34.2 innings pitched, Yarbrough has a 4-1 record with a 3.12 ERA. Miller has appeared in 35 games for the Dodgers. Through 40 innings pitched, he has a 3-0 record with a 1.80 ERA.
The Dodgers’ most recent call-up, former Trojan Kyle Hurt, has one appearance in the season during last week’s San Diego Padres series. Hurt pitched two innings, striking out three batters and giving up no hits.