Dodgers: Rotation Options when DL Reinforcements Return

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PHOENIX, AZ – MAY 01: Starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw #22 of the Los Angeles Dodgers walks to the dugout before the MLB game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on May 1, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

The Dodgers reinforcements are finally coming. Rich Hill and Kenta Maeda have finally returned from the DL. Clayton Kershaw will be on a rehab assignment Saturday and Walker Buehler will be throwing a bullpen Saturday. That leaves a lot of questions for Roberts to answer once everyone is back.

As has been widely repeated by journalists, reporters, Orel Hershiser and Joe Davis; four of the five Dodger starters to open the season have all seen significant time on the DL. Kershaw, Ryu, Maeda, and Hill, were all slated as starters on this grind of a season, however, the quartet of Stripling, Wood, Buehler, and Ferguson have made more combined starts than the former.

With these pitchers getting opportunities and running with them, Stripling and Buehler in particular, what does Roberts do when it is time for the reinforcements to return?

As of right now, the five-man rotation is Maeda-Hill-Stripling-Wood-Ferguson. Kershaw is slated to come back after his rehab assignment on Saturday. The obvious odd-man out is Caleb Ferguson. Ferguson will more than likely be on his way back to OKC upon Clayton’s return.

Barring a setback Buehler should be right behind Kershaw and make a rehab assignment in the next few weeks. Hyun-Jin Ryu has also resumed baseball activities and has already thrown a bullpen. Though considering the severity of his injury in comparison to Buehler, Ryu’s return might be a bit delayed.

Nonetheless, Ryu is progressing and will be with the team sooner than originally expected. So that begs the question, who will be the odd man or men out?

So let’s look at some possibilities.

Of these options the only constant you will see is pretty crystal clear, Clayton Kershaw (if he remains healthy) is going nowhere.

LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 10: Ross Stripling /

Option 1: Kershaw-Stripling-Hill-Maeda-Wood …. Buehler and Ryu to the Bullpen

Let me preface this by saying this list is in no particular order.

Roberts has a tough decision on his hands without a doubt. Here is why this rotation makes sense. Kershaw at the top will continue to be a theme in this article.

Stripling has earned the right to continue on as a starter. He is having an all-star like season and “demoting” him back to the bullpen will hurt both Stripling and the entire Dodger team. Entering his start Wednesday against the Cubs Stripling has a 1.76 ERA which is 3^rd in the bigs behind only Justin Verlander and Jacob DeGrom (min 65 IP). Chicken Strip has been nothing short of terrific in 2018.

Rich Hill showed Tuesday evening how dominant he can be. Allowing just 3 hits and no runs on 6 innings of work in Chicago. If Hill can stave off the nagging blister issues he is always a nice addition to the starting rotation.

Kenta Maeda struggled Tuesday afternoon but has been pretty good this season. In contrast to past seasons, Maeda has continually seen himself get dep into games and tally up those strikeouts as a result of him being more aggressive in the strike zone.

Alex Wood has indeed struggled this season. But he was fantastic last season and has had back to back starts allowing 2 runs or less. Wood has had some very good starts this season, he has also had some very ugly starts, thus the bad numbers. Though he is now slowly turning it around and being healthy and reliable may give him an upper hand in gaining a rotation spot.

Ryu has been injury prone his entire tenue with the Dodgers, lowering his workload and using him in the bullpen can be very beneficial to his health.

Buehler is on an innings limit and using him in the bullpen until later on in the season can extend his stay with the club and make him useful if a deep playoff run is on the horizon.

PHOENIX, AZ – MAY 02: Hyun-Jin Ryu #99 of the Los Angeles Dodgers leaves the game after sustaining an injury during the second inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on May 2, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /

Option 2: Kershaw-Stripling-Hill-Buehler-Ryu….. Wood and Maeda to the Bullpen

So the top three in the rotation remains the same with Kershaw, Stripling, and Hill. No need to repeat but I will anyways because Stripling is having an unbelievable season. 3^rd in the MLB in ERA (min 65 IP). That’s better than Scherzer, Kershaw, Arrieta, Greinke and Chris Sale. Just ridiculous from someone who was supposed to be a reliever.

Buehler has been ELECTRIC, this season. Currently, the front-runner to be the Dodger’s third consecutive ROY award winner. He has some of the best stuff in baseball and this season he is putting it together with pin point accuracy and it has been a deadly combination. He has a 2.63 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 54 strikeouts in just over 51 innings pitched this season.

Ryu is a very interesting case. He was having a comeback season, after being on the shelf again most of 2017. He was absolutely shoving with a 2.12 ERA and 0.88 WHIP before going down with a groin injury. It is hard to trust that he can stay healthy. However, when healthy he is a very good pitcher. Getting his spot back in the rotation would be no surprise.

That leaves Wood and Maeda in the bullpen.

Alex Wood could find himself in the bullpen or even worse, OKC if he does not continue to build on his last 2 starts. Wood has had a rough year and maybe a short stint in OKC would do him well, even a move to the bullpen can help, like it did with Maeda. The young lefty came into the season with high expectations maybe taking away some pressure will help him revert back to his 2017 form.

Maeda to the bullpen makes a whole lot of sense despite his success as a starter. He is an absolute beast out of the pen and was a go-to piece in the playoffs last season in that role. Secondly, it would be beneficial to the Dodgers front office if he did move to the bullpen as he would most likely not reach his incentives and they would have more money to work with should they make a deal this season

MIAMI, FL – MAY 16: Walker Buehler #21 of the Los Angeles Dodgers throws a pitch during the first inning against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park on May 16, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images) /

Option 3: Kershaw-Stripling-Buehler-Maeda-Hill-Wood…. Ryu to the bullpen

A six-man rotation could be very beneficial to this group. All 6 of these guys are reliable and have shown just how good the can be. So why not use as many of these arms as you can?

Especially during the dog days of the season in July and August, a six-man rotation can help guys stay fresh. Even if it is not a straight 6 man rotation. Meaning they only use the 6^th man when necessary.

So whomever it is whether it is Buehler, Maeda, Hill, Stripling or Wood; one of them would be used in sort of a hybrid role. Making starts when Roberts sees fit but also working out of the bullpen as a long relief pitcher.

Having six starters is beneficial for the Dodgers staff as a whole. Giving players more rest after returning from injuries is big. They would also be keeping an eye on Buehler’s innings limit and will always be able to have a player skip a start even if they are dealing with a minor ailment and it would not mess up the rotation.

There are, however some negatives, for instance, a pitcher like Kershaw who is a creature of habit might be thrown off a bit at first by not starting every fifth game. Also, the layoff for a pitcher after a bad start could be deadly for their psyche. And vice versa, the layoff could cool down a pitcher who is pitching very well. This strategy could cause more inconsistencies but it could also work very well with this group.

Option 4: Kershaw-Stripling-Wood-Buehler-Urias-Ryu….Maeda and Hill to the bullpen

You didn’t think I forgot about the lefty phenom, did you?

Urias was targeting a return by late July. It is unclear whether that goal will be met or not, but if it does Urias could see himself fighting for a spot in the rotation. This is a very optimistic view on my part, considering the magnitude of injury Urias would be returning from.

He more than likely will see a lot of time in OKC and if he does eventually get to Los Angeles it will be very difficult for him to crack the rotation. But what the heck, let’s have fun with this and hope that if he returns, it will be as a starter and he will be back on track towards being the elite pitcher many thought he would become.

Once again this has a 6 man rotation, Urias would likely be that hybrid guy that was mentioned earlier. This role would help ease him into the bigs again and not just throw him into the lion’s den right away.

Also, this is the first time on this list I mention Hill to the bullpen. He has been a reliever in his career before. His blister issue could be resolved by less usage and if that means a move to the bullpen, Hill could find himself back as a reliever.

With Tom Koehler’s return being pushed back yet again, the need for another high leverage guy is in need. Maeda has already proven himself in that role and it would be beneficial as I mentioned earlier.

ATLANTA, GA – JUNE 13: Jacob deGrom #48 of the New York Mets pitches in the first inning against the Atlanta Braves at SunTrust Field on June 13, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) /

Option 5: Kershaw-deGrom-Hill-Stripling-Buehler… Maeda, Urias, and Ryu in the bullpen, Wood included in DeGrom deal

Hey, why not?

Here is my imaginary trade scenario

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The Mets would get a young starter that has shown the ability to be very good with Wood and three high upside prospects.

Meanwhile, the Dodgers get to hold onto Walker Buehler while acquiring a top of the line pitcher under team control for multiple years and some help at second base.

Who says no?

This would be an elite rotation. Kershaw and deGrom would arguably be the best 1-2 combo in the MLB. This would be a move geared towards October rather than the regular season. This would be what the fans want.

This rotation is already very good and very deep, adding deGrom to it would be the icing to an already very sweet and flavorful cake.

Next: Ways the Dodgers can reach their full potential

It still remains to be seen whether or not the Dodgers and Mets would come to terms on a deal, but that’s what makes this so fun, guessing what GM’s are going to do before they do it. The Dodgers would be giving up a lot for deGrom but if the end goal is a World Series does it really matter?

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