A Great First 16 Games, but…

We’re coming on three weeks into the season, and already we’re testing the Dodgers’ fabled depth. Although the squad continues to pile up victories, there have been a number of roster moves made recently that we’ll need to keep an eye on going forward.

Who’s Banged Up?

The Dodgers’ opening day lineup was hardly on the field a couple of games before injuries started to pop up. Mookie Betts, though never on the IL, has been battling a back thing and has missed nearly a week’s worth of games already. When he did get back in the lineup, he hasn’t been as productive as we are used to seeing, so hopefully that will get sorted out before the next big series with San Diego. In addition, AJ Pollock isn’t quite at full strength, either. He’s been trying to work through a groin issue, and has only seen limited playing time of late.

Stints on the IL for Belli, Lux

Cody Bellinger, on the other hand, did wind up on the Injured List after getting spiked on a bang-bang play at first during the Oakland series. Though at first it was thought to be minor, it turns out that Bellinger’s injury was a hairline fracture, and he’ll require a little more recovery time.

“I can say comfortably that it’s not a day-to-day thing,” said manager Dave Roberts when asked about it before the San Diego series, indicating that Belli’s recovery had seemed to have “plateaued”. He expressed confidence that his center fielder would be back in the lineup as soon as he was ready. “He’s just rehabbing daily and doing everything he can to join us as soon as possible.”

A second Dodgers starter on the IL is now Gavin Lux, who was put on the list over the weekend. For him, the problem was a nagging wrist injury. And like Bellinger, Lux doesn’t have a serious injury, but the Dodgers management felt a stop on the IL will give him the chance to recover more quickly.

“He’s been testing it and is just not 100 percent,” Roberts said of Lux. “We feel it’s best that he’s 100 percent. Once he’s back we can run him out there every day. It makes no sense to push for a potential setback.” It’s too bad. After Lux’s hot spring training, it seemed that he was poised for a breakout year. It’s still possible, but April has been a bit of a disappointment from the highly touted prospect. As of today, he’s only hitting .220 with a OBP under .300.

Of course, Tony Gonsolin was put on the IL almost immediately this year with shoulder inflammation. But, with the loaded rotation that the Dodgers have, his absence hasn’t been felt that much. I’m guessing he’ll start to play again once OKC begins their season in May, and pitch a little down there before he returns to Chavez Ravine.

Struggling Beaty Sent Down

The only other member of the opening day roster who is not with the club at this time is Matt Beaty. With the emergence of Zach McKinstry as a utility player, there simply isn’t much room for Beaty anywhere on Dave Roberts‘ defense. He could play some first base or outfield, but he isn’t a good second choice at any of those positions. Max Muncy could probably use a blow after starting every game so far, but Roberts seems to be leaning toward Edwin Rios as his backup so far. That, taken together with Beaty’s offensive struggles (only one hit in eleven at-bats, 6 K), led to him being sent down over the weekend. He’ll be back up with the big club before long, so hopefully he can use the time at the alternate site to work on some stuff.

Roster Additions

With Gonsolin, Lux, and Bellinger gone from the Opening Day roster, who has come in to take their spots? Well, reliever Dennis Santana has been with the team for a couple of weeks now, called up as soon as the Cat Man went on the IL. He’s been okay in his four appearances this year. His ERA is at 4.91, but his WHIP of 1.91 is much higher than you’d like a reliever’s to be. But he did play a big part in that entertaining dust-up on Friday night, so at least there’s some entertainment value there.

In addition, pitcher Alex Vesia was up for about twelve seconds this weekend, but didn’t see any action. Instead, his roster spot was taken the next day by Brusdar Graterol. The Return of the Bazooka didn’t go that great. Roberts threw him right into the fire on Sunday, coming into a tight game against rival San Diego. He lit up the radar gun again, but these Padre hitters were not intimidated. He gave up the tying run on a double to Eric Hosmer and didn’t make it out of the inning. Not sure why Roberts made that move, but I guess it certainly exhibits his trust in the big guy. He did have one strikeout, of Tommy Pham, so he’s got that to build on for next time.

Outfielder Luke Raley was called up last week, and has already acquitted himself well. He’s gotten his first major league hit and first home run since then and had some nice play in the field.

The final roster spot has been taken by newcomer Sheldon Neuse (pronounced like “noisy”). He came over from Oakland in the deal for Adam Kolarek this offseason. Seeing his first action in a Dodger uniform on Sunday, Neuse was 0-for-2 at the plate, but did manage a nice turn on a double play early in the game. With McKinstry sure to be seeing more action in the outfield, Neuse will probably get his share of time at second.

Still, these roster additions, with the possible exception of Graterol, don’t figure to be with the big club once our marquee names are ready to return. And, with the Dodgers showing a fairly lethargic offense the last couple of games, their firepower will be most welcome back in the line-up.

Hurry back, boys. We miss ya!