Justin Wrobleski just got put on the 15-day injured list with left forearm inflammation, and man, this is more than just a simple swap for the Dodgers. Kyle Hurt is already back up from Triple-A Oklahoma City, but this move screams “HELP US!” for a pitching staff that’s running on fumes right now.
The Bullpen Grind is Real
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts wasn’t even trying to hide it on Saturday, saying they’ve got “some guys that are ailing.” And earlier on Friday, he was flat out honest: “Essentially all of our relievers are overworked right now, and trying to be mindful of their performance and health.” This isn’t just manager-speak, it’s the stark reality facing the team. Jonathan Hernández had to eat the final three innings of Saturday’s loss against the Milwaukee Brewers, just so the other six bullpen arms could get a full day off after some seriously heavy usage. The Dodgers are in the middle of a brutal 13-game stretch with hardly any rest, and Sunday was already the tenth straight game day. When Blake Snell came back on Tuesday, they went to a six-man starting rotation, which seriously cut down on their relief corps. This whole situation? It means the Dodgers now get to carry eight relievers instead of seven for the next week and a half. Trust me, they absolutely needed that.
Wrobleski’s Woes and Hurt’s Opportunity
Let’s be real, Wrobleski has been struggling. He’s given up a staggering 11 home runs in his last four starts, and a total of 20 runs, 19 of them earned, over just 19 2/3 innings in that stretch. Plus, he’s closing in on a professional career high in innings pitched. So, while left forearm inflammation is no joke, this IL stint actually gives him a much-needed break. He was already going to shift to the bullpen once Tyler Glasnow is back from the injured list, so this just lets him truly rest for at least two weeks.
Enter Kyle Hurt. Roberts knew he was coming up on Saturday. Hurt had been optioned on Monday because he’d pitched two days in a row and wouldn’t be available, so they previously brought up Seth Halvorsen, who saved Tuesday’s win, and then Landon Knack to eat some innings on Wednesday. But since Hurt was optioned so recently, he needed an injured player to clear the way back to the big league roster before his 15 days were up. Hurt’s stats this season show real potential: a 4.46 ERA and a solid 3.64 xERA over 37 games, with 46 strikeouts and 21 walks in 38 1/3 innings. He even tossed a perfect inning in Triple-A between stints, showing he’s ready to go.
What’s Next for the Pitching Staff?
The good news is some much-needed relief is on the horizon for the Dodgers. Tyler Glasnow is set for one more rehab start this coming Thursday, expected to go five innings and about 75 pitches, before he’s back in the Dodgers rotation. And with off days finally coming up on August 20 and 24, the Dodgers can actually roll with five starters all getting at least five days’ rest until Glasnow makes his big return. They just need to navigate this next week or so, keep those overworked arms healthy, and get to those off days. It’s going to be a nail-biter, but this move was absolutely necessary.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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