Dodgers Place Carlos Frias on the DL, Mull Over Limited Options

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Option number one is to use one of the bums like Trevor Cahill, or Eric Stults, or Scott Baker. You throw one of those bums out there, punt the game, but essentially save the bullpen. You force both of them to pitch seven innings, and hope for the best. All of those guys are 5-6 runs per game pitchers. So there is very little chance of winning. Maybe Cahill or Stults only give up 3 or 4 and you might have a chance of winning. It’s a long shot though. Since Frias’s spot comes up just twice more until the all-star break, maybe you use one of those bums and just hope that Frias’s injury is not that sever and he’ll make it back after the all-star break. That’s a long shot but possibly the best option the Dodgers have.

Next: Bullpen Game (More Bums)?

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Another option is to use bullpen games every time. When I say a bullpen game, which means a collection of relievers pitches the entire game. That could work, but usually doesn’t. You know I normally hate bullpen games, but I don’t like the idea of burning the bullpen for a game you have little chance of winning anyways. So you could use Nicasio for 2-3 innings, and then Daniel Coulombe for 2-3 innings and then the rest of the bullpen. The thing is, Coloumbe is awful so using him for two or three innings probably means the game is lost anyways. Either way this isn’t ideal.

Next: Why not let Nicasio actually start the game and pitch 5 innings?

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You could let Nicasio pitch 5 innings and go from there. Nicasio was a starter during his days in Colorado. Actually Nicasio has started 70 games. Despite the fact that his ERA in those games is 5.14, you have little options at this point. Besides, those were all starts at Coors Field, and Nicasio has been generally effective this year. Why not let him throw some innings and e what happens?

Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports

Yet another option would be to use Brandon Beachy. I don’t know if he is going to be ready, but he could be the Dodger’s diamond in the rough. If Beachy is as effective as he was before he blew out his arm with the Braves, then the Dodgers could have a chance to win some of these games.

Next: Games are going to be lost anyways, so the real answer is it's a push

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In the end it is basically a push. The Dodgers have little to no chance of winning these games anyways. Unless Beachy is ready, or Nicasio can be a starter again the club is probably going to lose these games anyways. Frias’s spot comes up twice before the all-star break, and then another two games after on the next road trip.

So the best course of action is to probably call up Cahill, or Stults, or one of those bums, and let him pitch in order to save the bullpen. You hope that Frias will be back right after the break, throw a Cahill or a Scott Baker start and you pray. This is the fault of the brain trust for hoarding all of these washed up bums instead of spending a few bucks and making sure to get somebody reliable. Now it’s too late and there’s really nothing else the Dodgers can do right now. The trade deadline is looming and you can bet dollars to donuts that the brain trust will somehow acquire another starting pitcher. Until then the Dodgers will have to make do with the bums they already have.