Cody Snavely
It was a busy Monday late afternoon for the Los Angeles Dodgers as they made a shocking roster move to make room for Mookie Betts‘ activation, updates on pitching injuries from Brandon Gomes, and the long-awaited return of Betts going back to right field and hitting in the two-hole.
Amed Rosario DFA’d
Prior to yesterday’s opening game of this pivotal three-game series between two of the top three teams in the National League, the Los Angeles Dodgers activated Mookie Betts off the 15-day injured list and decided to DFA utilityman Amed Rosario, a move that shocked many.
In the days leading up to the activation, many speculated that the Dodgers would likely just DFA shortstop Nick Ahmed, whom they signed after Miguel Rojas was placed on the 10-day injured list shortly after the all-star break.
However, with the Dodgers shifting their plan to no longer have Mookie Betts at shortstop for the rest of the season and Gavin Lux staying at second base, as of right now, the Dodgers only have one true shortstop, and that is Nick Ahmed, who like Rojas an, elite glove ranking in the 96th percentile in OAA.
However, the decision to DFA Amed Rosario is shocking for several reasons.
For starters, Rosario, despite being acquired to play against left-handed pitching primarily, had great splits against both righties (.292/.316/.386) and lefties (.327/.355/.462) and made the most of his opportunities with the Dodgers this season hitting .273/.333/.364 in eleven at-bats.
Second, Rosario’s ability to play multiple positions, including the middle infield and corner outfield, is a plus for any team, especially the Dodgers, who could platoon him with Gavin Lux at second base. However, with Lux hitting well in the second half and Enrique Hernandez finding his stride since wearing prescription glasses, Rosario had no spot.
Rosario will be a player of high interest for many postseason teams, as many around the industry believe he will not last long on waivers or in free agency if he goes unclaimed, and it could be a move that bites the Dodgers in October if he joins a National League contender.
Mookie Betts activated
It was the first game since June 16th, on Father’s Day Sunday, that the Dodgers have penciled in all-star Mookie Betts into the lineup.
Betts, who fractured his hand that day, has missed the last several weeks rehabbing the injury. Over the last ten days, he has ramped up all baseball activities, including fielding, hitting, and running, and he is ready to be activated off the 10-day injured list, opting out of a rehab assignment.
In his first game back, Betts, the former National League Most Valuable Player frontrunner, made his presence known by going two-for-three with two-run home runs and three RBIs in the Dodgers’ opening series win over Milwaukee.
Betts also brings back a much-needed clutch hitter to the team. All season, most of the Dodgers’ hitters have struggled with runners in scoring position, while Betts has been one of the best in that regard, hitting .382/.469/.655 and having a 1.123 OPS in those situations.
Both of Betts hits in the game came with runners-in-scoring-position with his two-run homerun having a runner at third and his two-out RBI single done with Shohei Ohtani at second base.
It could not have gone better for the Dodgers yesterday. Ohtani and Betts were a force to be reckoned with despite swapping positions in the lineup. With Max Muncy and Tommy Edman set to rejoin the Dodgers next homestand, the best is yet to come for this team.
Brandon Gomes on the influx of pitching injuries
Pitching injuries have been the topic of the 2024 Major League Baseball regular season. From the start of spring training until now, we have seen an increase in arm and elbow injuries at a rate not seen before in the sport’s history.
The Los Angeles Dodgers, a team that has been a powerhouse in the sport, have also fallen victim to this pitching injury epidemic. Over the past two seasons, they have seen multiple pitchers sidelined due to various arm or elbow-related injuries, a situation that has undoubtedly tested their depth.
Dodgers top pitching prospect River Ryan is the latest to join the group of arms on the shelf. He potentially needs Tommy John Surgery after having a UCL strain in his right elbow. Dodgers President of Baseball Operations had this to say when asked about the number of injuries the club has faced this season.
We’re looking into it and trying to figure out is there an acute thing? Is there an over-arching issue…We’re seeing it across the industry. We feel it more acutely when it happens to us. But I don’t think this is all that unique.
The Dodgers training staff, led by head athletic trainer Thomas Albert, has been under fire this season by many fans, and some have a notion that criticism is valid as the Dodgers have placed numerous players on the injured list.
However, injuries, especially in the pitching department, have gone up league-wide, and that has more to do with pitching philosophies than it does with making sure the pitchers are stretched and healthy.
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