Cody Snavely
Happy Monday, Dodgers fans! The Los Angeles Dodgers kicked off a nine-game homestand this past week, which will conclude with the Baltimore Orioles coming to Chavez Ravine on Tuesday. Before that, the Seattle Mariners and Tampa Bay Rays were each set for a three-game series.
The Dodgers continued their great August by sweeping the Mariners and taking two of three against the Rays, getting much-needed wins in the process. The Arizona Diamondbacks and San Diego Padres kept pace in the National League West standings.
However, we received many updates on injuries and a few other storylines, which we will discuss in the latest Dodgers Notes from DodgersBeat.
Week recap (8/19/2024-8/25/2024)
Mariners Recap: The Los Angeles Dodgers kicked off their nine-game homestand welcoming the struggling Seattle Mariners, who have dropped their season-high ten-game lead in the American League West over the Houston Astros. Their below-league-average offense, ranking in the bottom third of the league in average and OPS, has been a significant challenge.
The Dodgers would have the bats working in this series and would take care of business, sweeping the Mariners while taking down two of the best pitchers in the American League, Logan Gilbert and Bryan Woo.
The three-game sweep was so bad for the Mariners that after the series, they fired nine-year manager Scott Servais, while the Dodgers were riding high on offense with the return of Max Muncy and Tommy Edman.
- Game One: 3-0, W
- Game Two: 6-3, W
- Game Three: 8-4, W
Rays Recap: After their series sweep of the Seattle Mariners, the Dodgers welcomed the Tampa Bay Rays in a 2020 World Series rematch. The Rays would be no match for the red-hot Dodgers, who would take two of three.
Gavin Stone was exceptionally sharp in the rubber match, going seven innings and allowing one run on a solo shot to former Dodgers top prospect Jonny DeLuca. The Dodgers, so far on their homestand, have won five of their six games.
- Game One: 7-3, W
- Game Two: 8-9, F/10 L
- Game Three: 3-1, W
Injury Notes
Over the past several weeks, the Los Angeles Dodgers have gotten plenty of reinforcements back on their active roster, which has been decimated with injuries all season long.
It all started when all-star shortstop Mookie Betts returned from the 15-day injured list after fracturing his hand on a hit by a pitch in the series finale of the Kansas City Royals series.
Betts would not only return to the Dodgers lineup but back second and play in right field, a position he had not played at all in 2024 but was a six-time Gold Glove Award winner in his previous nine seasons.
After Betts returned, the Dodgers got a boost to their pitching department, adding right-handed relief pitchers Blake Treinen and Ryan Brasier to the mix and, on this recent homestand, welcomed back third baseman Max Muncy and newly acquired utilityman Tommy Edman.
However, despite the return of so many key players, the Dodgers have plenty more on the horizon, and we received many updates on them throughout the week.
Starting off with perhaps the most significant player on the injured list right now in rookie righty Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who has been on the 60-day injured list since mid-June, is set to begin a minor league rehab assignment with Triple-A OKC this Wednesday.
Yamamoto has twice faced batters, with his most recent simulated game coming on August 21st. Yamamoto threw two innings and now is poised to begin a rehab assignment this week.
Right-handed pitcher Brusdar Graterol is also another pitcher who could join Yamamoto on a rehab assignment after injuring his hamstring when the righty made his 2024 regular season debut.
Despite the injury, Graterol has been active in the weight room, has continued baseball activities, and could rejoin the Dodgers bullpen in September.
While Ohtani has been amazing with the bat this season, just accomplishing the first 40/40 season in Los Angeles Dodgers history, he is also continuing to rehab from Tommy John Surgery.
Ohtani checked off a massive box on his to-do list, which was throwing off the mound for the first time since the injury. Dave Roberts said Shohei Ohtani came out of his bullpen well. The plan is still for Ohtani to progress to facing hitters this year before being shut down for an entire offseason pitching-wise.
Right-handed pitcher Tony Gonsolin, who is also recovering from last year’s Tommy John surgery, was seen at Dodgers stadium facing live hitters prior to Sunday’s game and spoke with the media about his recovery, his timetable for a return in 2024, and more.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts stated that the door is “slightly open” for the Cat Man’s return. He could go on a rehab assignment in the next few weeks and be a contender for the Dodgers bullpen in September/October.
Tyler Glasnow, who was placed on the 15-day injured list with forearm tightness prior to his start against the St. Louis Cardinals on the Dodgers’ last road trip, has still not begun throwing. The Dodgers are slowing down his recovery.
Dave Roberts initially indicated that Glasnow would only miss the minimum fifteen days on the Injured list but admitted that the righty’s delayed progression will undoubtedly impact how soon he can return.
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