As the regular season comes to an end, the Los Angeles Dodgers must make some crucial roster decisions. With only two series left, one against the Arizona Diamondbacks and then the Seattle Mariners, securing as many wins as possible will not only determine the Dodgers’ playoff position but also impact their confidence and momentum going forward.
Experimentation has been a key strategy this season. The challenges the team has faced have compelled them to be more dynamic in their roster adjustments. When All-Star catcher Will Smith sustained a hand injury, for example, the team had to quickly rely on backup catchers like Ben Rortvedt. When the MLB Tokyo Series happened, Tommy Edman played second base but found himself deployed in center field after coming back from an injury later in the season.
Even though the Dodgers have faced many injuries this season, September seems to be their lucky month. The return of players like third baseman Max Muncy, pitcher Alex Vesia and pitcher Roki Sasaki — on top of expected returns this week with the likes of pitchers Brock Stewart and Kyle Hurt — gives the Dodgers a great deal of confidence. But that also means the team must now make some tough roster decisions. Here are a few possibilities:
Roki Sasaki Enters the Bullpen
A combination of a poor debut performance in the majors, plus an injured shoulder, sent Sasaki down to Triple-A Oklahoma City for a rehab assignment. His performance continued to plateau until two weeks ago, when Sasaki accepted the challenge to pitch out of the bullpen. On Sep. 9, he made his first relief appearance with Oklahoma City. Silencing the doubters, Sasaki struck out a season-high eight batters. In the following games, his performances were equally impressive, with some of his fastballs exceeding 100 miles per hour.
The Dodgers are considering whether it would be better for Sasaki to stay in the minor leagues or keep him in the major leagues by shifting him into the bullpen. For manager Dave Roberts, it’s about whether this change will benefit everyone.
“Just to be honest with Roki [Sasaki] and kind of where we’re at, where he’s at, what’s best for him, what’s best for us,” Dodgers Manager Dave Roberts said in a press interview on Sep. 9. “Whether it’s kind of getting ready for something to happen here in a starting role or changing a role, I think it just all should be on the table. We’re going to have that conversation.”
Nonetheless, the ongoing conversation between Sasaki and the Dodgers gives fans hope that he will once again join the club before the playoffs.
The Three Musketeers: Rortvedt, Rushing, Smith
Smith’s injury has been a hard one for the team to swallow. Not only was Smith a talented catcher, but he was one of the team’s top offensive players.
The Dodgers currently have three main approaches to choose from. First, they could attempt to carry three catchers: Ben Rortvedt, Dalton Rushing and potentially Smith. Typically, teams don’t carry three catchers; however, Ohtani’s two-way status practically creates an extra roster spot.
Second, the team could put its trust in the two younger catchers, Rortvedt and Rushing. While neither is as experienced as Smith, they bring their own tools to the table. Rortvedt’s value is underscored by his defensive prowess, while Rushing is known for his on-base skills and offensive power. Lastly, the Dodgers could take a gamble and hope that Smith returns before the postseason ends.
Tommy Edman: Infield or Outfield?
Edman has returned to the field right before the postseason. While celebrated, his return also means that the Dodgers must consider where to play him: second base or center field. Edman’s ability to perform at second is top-tier, especially with championship stakes on the line.
However, with a relatively weak center field that needs to be fixed, it would also make sense to play him in the outfield. Doing so would also allow Andy Pages to shift to left field, which addresses another problematic place. When David Roberts spoke at a general media session, he confirmed that “[Edman’s] going to be in the outfield for the time being, but I’m not sure how long that will go.”
In the meantime, Edman will continue to play in center field, but he’ll have to continue being the versatile player he is.