Injuries & Moves: Pages returns as roster expands
LATEST NEWS
Sept. 1: LHP Justin Wrobleski, RHP Michael Grove, OF Andy Pages recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City; RHP Ben Casparius optioned to Oklahoma City
Wrobleski was called up and got the start against the D-backs on Sunday at Chase Field. The Dodgers’ No. 6 prospect entered the day with a 4.68 ERA over five starts with the Dodgers this season.
The Dodgers also added Pages as part of the rosters expanding from 26 to 28 players (14 pitchers) on Sunday. He’s able to provide depth at all three outfield spots and serve as a bat off the bench. The 23-year-old rookie tallied nine homers and 36 RBIs over 98 games.
“To what role we use him, that remains to be seen,” manager Dave Roberts said. “But obviously Andy’s been a big part of what we’ve done this year.”
Grove replaces Casparius in the bullpen. Casparius was recalled on Saturday and made his big league debut, picking up the win with a perfect inning of relief against the D-backs.
Aug. 31: LHP Clayton Kershaw, RHP Joe Kelly placed on 15-day injured list; RHP Ben Casparius recalled; RHP Brent Honeywell Jr. has contract selected
Kershaw was removed after one-plus inning on Friday night due to a sore left big toe that prevented him from fully pushing off the rubber. Manager Dave Roberts said the issue was caused by a bone spur that the veteran lefty has been dealing with for "maybe a couple of years." Kershaw will undergo treatment to try to get the inflammation under control, and Roberts is hopeful the three-time NL Cy Young Award winner will be able to rejoin the rotation after the minimum 15 days on the shelf. That would give him as many as three starts before the postseason. More >>
Casparius had his contract selected by the Dodgers on Aug. 18, but he did not make an appearance before being optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Aug. 21. He made his big league debut Saturday against the D-backs and picked up the win with a perfect inning of relief. The right-hander is ranked as the Dodgers' No. 23 prospect by MLB Pipeline.
Honeywell had a 2.21 ERA over 10 appearances with the Dodgers earlier this season before being designated for assignment on Aug. 18. He returns to the bullpen in place of Kelly, who is dealing with right shoulder inflammation after covering 1 2/3 innings after Kershaw was removed Friday.
INJURY UPDATES
RHP/DH Shohei Ohtani (elbow surgery)
Expected return: 2025 (as a pitcher)
Ohtani threw 10 pitches in the bullpen on Saturday, his first time throwing off a mound since having elbow surgery last September. Manager Dave Roberts said Ohtani came out of the session feeling good and that he will throw off a mound again in about a week, give or take a few days.
The plan is for Ohtani to ramp up and face live hitters in practice settings before the end of the season and then shut down for the offseason. The two-way superstar will not pitch for the Dodgers in 2024, but he is on track to return to pitching in 2025. (Last updated: Aug. 25)
10-day/15-day injured list
RHP Brusdar Graterol (right hamstring strain)
Expected return: Potentially Sept. 6
Manager Dave Roberts said the big right-hander will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sept. 3. He's expected to make two appearances with OKC and could be activated as soon as Sept. 6, depending on the state of a Dodgers bullpen that has seen a lot of extra work as of late.
Graterol sustained a right hamstring strain after throwing just eight pitches in an Aug. 6 loss to the Phillies. The injury initially appeared to be season-ending after he had to be carried off the field, but scans revealed a Grade 1 strain, the least severe type of injury. (Last updated: Sept. 1)
LHP Clayton Kershaw (bone spur in left big toe)
Expected return: Mid-September
Kershaw was removed after one-plus inning on Aug. 30 due to a sore left big toe and was placed on the IL the next day. Manager Dave Roberts said the issue was caused by a bone spur that the veteran lefty has been dealing with for "maybe a couple of years." Kershaw will undergo treatment to try to get the inflammation under control, and Roberts is hopeful the three-time NL Cy Young Award winner will be able to rejoin the rotation after the minimum 15 days on the shelf. That would give him as many as three starts before the postseason. (Last updated: Aug. 31)
RHP Tyler Glasnow (right elbow tendinitis)
Expected return: Mid-September
Glasnow lightly played catch from 90 feet on Aug. 31 and said all signs were positive. He's hopeful he’ll be able to return before the end of the regular season. Manager Dave Roberts said the best-case scenario would be a mid-September return that would allow the righty to make three starts before the postseason.
Glasnow has dealt with right elbow injuries over the course of his career and is already at a career high with 134 innings pitched. This is the second time Glasnow has landed on the injured list this season. (Last updated: Aug. 31)
RHP Joe Kelly (right shoulder inflammation)
Expected return: Mid-September
Kelly was placed on the IL Aug. 31 a day after throwing 1 2/3 innings following Clayton Kershaw's early exit. (Last updated: Aug. 31)
60-day IL
RHP Yoshinobu Yamamoto (right triceps tightness)
Expected return: Mid-September
Yamamoto started a rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Aug. 28, a significant step in the right direction to getting the Japanese right-hander back for the stretch run. Yamamoto allowed one run on a homer and struck out two over two innings. He threw 31 pitches, 23 for strikes.
Manager Dave Roberts said Yamamoto would throw a bullpen session on Sept. 1 and then make another rehab start for OKC on Sept. 3, with the goal being to complete three innings. If Yamamoto can get through a couple more outings, the Dodgers will feel comfortable enough inserting him back into the starting rotation. (Last updated: Aug. 30)
RHP Tony Gonsolin (Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: Possibly September
Gonsolin expressed optimism he will return before the end of the season, and manager Dave Roberts said the door is “slightly open” for Gonsolin to pitch this year. Gonsolin pitched three live batting-practice sessions in Arizona before rejoining the Dodgers in Los Angeles the week of Aug. 19. His fastball has been sitting at 92-94 mph and his command has been improving, according to team trainer Ron Porterfield.
Gonsolin doesn’t have enough time to build up as a starter and will pitch exclusively out of the bullpen if he does return this season. He had Tommy John surgery last September and has not pitched since Aug. 18, 2023. (Last updated: Aug. 25)
RHP River Ryan (right forearm tightness)
Expected return: 2025 at earliest
Ryan had successful Tommy John surgery after suffering a UCL strain during his Aug. 11 start against the Pirates. After multiple scans, the Dodgers determined he needed Tommy John surgery. The 26-year-old rookie right-hander went 1-0 with a 1.33 ERA in four starts before suffering his season-ending injury. (Last updated: Aug. 25)
RHP Connor Brogdon (right plantar fasciitis)
Expected return: TBD
Brogdon, who was acquired from the Phillies on April 6, has been sidelined since April 10 and was transferred to the 60-day IL on May 19. He began a rehab assignment with Single-A Rancho Cucamonga on Aug. 17, throwing a scoreless inning. He moved to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Aug. 20, where he threw another scoreless frame. (Last updated: Aug. 21)
RHP Dustin May (right flexor tendon surgery; esophagus)
Expected return: 2025
May underwent surgery to repair his esophagus and stomach on July 10 after reporting pain in those areas after dinner that day.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said on July 14 that he “was shocked” by the news, noting May was in Arizona.
“Soreness of the throat and the stomach, and goes to the ER and gets surgery,” said Roberts. “He gets surgery, and he’s done for the year. Obviously, him coming back, if everything was great, was still a longer shot. But how his season ended is very unfortunate. I’m just glad he’s OK.”
May underwent right elbow surgery performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles to repair his flexor tendon July 18, 2023. It was his second major elbow surgery in the past three seasons, and the Dodgers placed him on the 60-day injured list to begin the 2024 season. Read more >> (Last updated: July 14)
RHP Emmet Sheehan (Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: 2025
Sheehan suffered an injury in his first bullpen session of the spring and never got into Cactus League action. The right-hander had started throwing to hitters for the first time, but on May 16 the Dodgers announced that he had undergone successful surgery on his right UCL that would end his 2024 season. (Last updated: May 16)