Former Giant Reliever to Join the Dodgers Bullpen Soon

Who is Brian Wilson going to replace when gets activated off the disabled list? Wilson, who signed a one year deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 30th, a day before the trade deadline, Wilson made the trip to join the Dodgers team on the road in Philadelphia on Friday after completing his rehab assignment in the minors. Wilson, who threw a simulated game in Philadelphia, believes he is ready to come off the disabled list, but the Dodgers did not agree. The team will wait one more day to decide what to do with Wilson. Here are a few scenarios that could happen when Wilson gets activated. Wilson figures to be the set up man, along with Paco Rodriguez and Ronald Belisario in the 7th and 8th inning.

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Outfielder Scott Van Slyke sent down to Triple-A.

Van Slyke is only at the MLB level to make sure the outfielder Andre Ethier is healthy. Ethier appeared in the game as a pinch-hitter on Friday and started in center field on Saturday and Sunday. Van Slyke also has options, making the most likely out of the group to get sent down. Assuming that Ethier starting is a sign of him being better after having to the hospital on Wednesday to check up on his leg injury when he got hit by a pitch in the game against the Toronto Blue Jays. So the Dodgers could go with 8 relievers and 4 bench players. Van Slyke will be back in September though.

Relief Pitcher Chris Withrow sent to down to Triple-A.

Withrow has done a phenomenal job in the bullpen and has really earned the trust of Dodgers manager Don Mattingly. Withrow has been brought into tough situations having the ability to keep the Dodgers in the game and getting out of jams. Unfortunately, that may not be enough to save him from being sent down. The main reason he is on this list despite the good job he has done for the Dodgers, is that he has options. But with two weeks until September, like Van Slyke, Withrow will be back.

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Relief Pitcher Carlos Marmol gets designated for assignment.

Mattingly could decide that Withrow could help the Dodgers more in October and decide to designated Marmol for assignment (DFA). For me personally, I am hoping that Marmol doesn’t get cut because I believe he is getting back to his all-star form and has pitched in the playoffs before. I feel that his experience in the playoffs could give him the edge over Withrow. I believe that Marmol has something to offer to help his team. The Dodgers Organization’s pitching staff, one of the best staff in the Major Leagues, has helped many pitchers with their mechnics. For example, J.P. Howell. Howell was coming off last season with his era over 5. Howell is currently pitching almost on the dot 2.00, thanks to the pitching staff, fixing his mechanics and giving opportunities to prove he belongs. What Marmol needs is opportunities to prove he deserves to be with the club. He has calmed after a rough outing in Toronto. Throwing scoreless innings in his last 8 appearances especially in the game against the New York Mets on Wednesday, it was huge that Marmol threw two scoreless innings AND almost hit a walk off home run in a rare at-bat.