In a frustrating turn of events for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Edgardo Henriquez found himself at the center of a pivotal moment in Tuesday’s game against the Minnesota Twins. While attempting to field a slow roller in the seventh inning, he bobbled the ball, later throwing wildly to first base. This miscue allowed all three Twins baserunners to trot home, eliciting a chorus of boos from the Dodger Stadium crowd. Following this mishap, the Dodgers suffered their 10-7 loss, marking their 11th defeat in 14 games—a stark indicator of their current struggles.
The urgency for bullpen reinforcements is palpable as the trade deadline looms just eight days away. The Dodgers’ recent performances have intensified the calls for action, with manager Dave Roberts noting, “It better be rock bottom as far as how we’ve been pitching and how we’ve been playing defense.” That quote encapsulates the atmosphere surrounding the team as they grapple with inconsistent play.
Adding to the team’s woes, Tanner Scott, their most expensive reliever, was placed on the injured list earlier in the day. While an MRI revealed only elbow inflammation and confirmed that his ulnar collateral ligament remains intact—a relief for both Scott and the team—his timeline for a return is still uncertain. As it stands, he joins a growing list of high-leverage relievers unavailable to the Dodgers, including Blake Treinen, Michael Kopech, Brusdar Graterol, and Evan Phillips, who is out for the season after Tommy John surgery.
It was another challenge for the bullpen when Ben Casparius departed due to cramping in his right calf. He had struggled through an outing where he walked three batters and allowed a double in just four faced. The hope now rests on an MRI scheduled for Wednesday, but his recent form has been a concern, contrasting sharply with his earlier success in April and May.
In the seventh inning, both Will Klein and Henriquez took the mound, but not without drama. Klein started strong by striking out his first batter, only to walk the bases loaded moments later. Henriquez’s error followed, effectively handing the Twins a 9-5 lead, further widening the gap and dimming any hopes for a comeback.
Compounding these issues, the Dodgers’ bullpen has been overworked this season, accumulating the highest number of innings pitched in the majors—450⅔. In comparison, the Chicago White Sox, who sit second, have logged just 405 innings. Unfortunately, the additional workload hasn’t equated to success on the mound. The Dodgers’ relievers currently sit 24th in the majors with a 4.41 ERA, a 1.35 WHIP, and an .748 opponents’ OPS—a troubling statistic that speaks volumes about their struggles.
Despite the uphill battle, Scott remains optimistic, asserting, “Things are gonna turn around.” This sentiment is echoed by Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes, who remains hopeful about the potential return of key players like Treinen, Kopech, and Graterol. He believes that if the team can maintain some health, their current pitching staff is more talented than last season’s, a unit that played a crucial role in their championship run.
However, with the clock ticking towards the trade deadline, the Dodgers are poised to pursue high-leverage relievers to provide some much-needed support in the interim. The depth chart is looking sparse, especially with some pitchers struggling to deliver when called upon. Roberts has stated the reality of their current situation; it’s now on the available talent to step up. “These are the guys we have right now, and they’re getting opportunities to make an impression. Some guys are, some guys aren’t.”
As the Dodgers look to navigate through this challenging stretch, the spotlight will surely be on their decision-making in the lead-up to the trade deadline and their ability to reestablish a reliable bullpen—an essential component for any team aiming for postseason success.
