The Los Angeles Dodgers are gearing up for an NLCS showdown with the Milwaukee Brewers, but before they even step onto the field, their front office has some serious roster drama to sort out. After a four-game NLDS against the Atlanta Braves, Dodgers President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman and his crew have three major questions looming as they finalize their lineup for a grueling series.
An All-Star Pitcher’s Rocky Ride
Justin Wrobleski, who snagged an All-Star nod in the first half of the season, has been on a wild ride since. His starting pitching exploits totally faded in the second half, and his move to the bullpen didn’t make things any better. Wrobleski was sidelined with left forearm tightness, and when he finally came back, he slid into a relief role. In the final month of the season, the dude posted a brutal 4.61 ERA across 13.2 innings in seven appearances. Last year, he was money in the postseason with four appearances and no runs allowed, but this bullpen is a whole new beast. Barring an injury to Kris Bubic or maybe even Brock Stewart, it’s a huge uphill climb for Wrobleski to secure a spot right now. That 4.61 ERA is a tough sell, no doubt.
Young Guns: Will De Paula or Kim Get the Call?
Hyeseong Kim and Josue De Paula both made the roster as high-upside specialists, guys who could swing games with the right opportunity. But let’s be real, they’ve seen pretty limited action. Kim literally only played defense in the bottom of the ninth of Game 4 of the NLDS, didn’t even get a pinch-running gig, and no at-bats at all. De Paula, on the other hand, got two pinch-hit appearances. He went 0-for-1 with a pop-up on the last out in Game 2. But then, in Game 4, he showed some serious poise, drawing a walk with two runners on and two outs to load the bases for Andy Pages’ game-winning two-run RBI. That was against Didier Fuentes, who had owned the Dodgers in Game 2! De Paula is undeniably the Dodgers’ best pure hitter off the bench, which makes him super hard to replace. Still, if the Dodgers want an extra pitcher for what’s sure to be a grind against the Brewers, one of these two might end up missing out.
Miguel Rojas’ Back Injury Could Shake Things Up
Miguel Rojas is another huge question mark. The guy missed Game 4 of the NLDS entirely after having to leave Game 3 early with a lower-back injury. If that back is still barking, the Dodgers have a super tough decision on their hands. In what could be his last season, do they put him on the IL? Rojas still hits lefties well and brings elite infield defense to the table, both of which would be absolutely key against the Brewers. An IL stint for Rojas could actually open up a spot for another pitcher, which might just be the move to keep both De Paula and Kim on the active roster. If Rojas is out, Hyeseong Kim can cover almost anywhere in the infield, or they could look at bringing up Alex Call or Alex Freeland.
These decisions are massive as the Dodgers prepare for the Milwaukee Brewers in the NLCS. Every single roster spot matters when you’re facing that kind of competition, and Friedman has some sleepless nights ahead figuring out the best combination to take on their next challenge.
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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