Dodgers Way Quick Hits: The Bullpen Gets Reinforcements

The Dodgers bullpen blew multiple games in last weekend’s series with the Rockies and now the bullpen gets two “new” reinforcements.

The Dodgers announced yesterday that Ross Stripling and Kenta Maeda have been moved from the rotation to the bullpen.  The news should make Dodger fans happy as the bullpen was responsible for all three of the Dodgers’ losses this past weekend.  The moves are being made since Alex Wood and Hyun-Jin Ryu will come off of the disabled list and start this week against the Giants.

The move will hopefully help Ross Stripling who was one of the Dodgers best starters but seemed to hit a wall as he reached a career high in innings pitched.  If Stripling can use his curveball in relief more often than past seasons, then Ross could help solidify a struggling Dodger bullpen.  For Kenta Maeda, this is not the first time he will pitch out of the bullpen since he became a shutdown reliever in the playoffs last year.

Other news…

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• Prospect Starling Heredia began a rehab stint last night with the AZL Dodgers.  Heredia is returning to game action for the first time since early June and is having a down season due to his injuries.  The nineteen-year-old is currently ranked as the 25th best prospect in the Dodgers organization as his stock has dropped a bit this year as others have risen up the rankings.
• The Dodgers set their rotation for their rivalry series with the Giants as Clayton Kershaw will start tonight and be followed by Alex Wood and Hyun-Jin Ryu on Tuesday and Wednesday.  Tonight’s game is easily the best matchup of the series as it features Clayton Kershaw and Madison Bumgarner.
• One big positive to take out of yesterday’s loss was the two dominant innings turned in by deadline pickup John Axford.  Axford pitched two hitless innings and his fastball ranged from 96-99 miles per hour.  After a debacle of a debut, Axford has now turned in three scoreless innings.

• The Dodgers have a nice schedule for the rest of August as they play 11 of the next sixteen games at home and the two road series are at Seattle and at Texas so they will only be leaving the Pacific time zone once the rest of the month.  Combined with three more off days this month and the Dodgers should be well rested entering the final month of the season.