Dodgers: Jedd Gyorko begins his postseason roster bid

PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 30: Jedd Gyorko #3 of the St. Louis Cardinals hits a two run home run in the seventh inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on May 30, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 30: Jedd Gyorko #3 of the St. Louis Cardinals hits a two run home run in the seventh inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on May 30, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images) /
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Jedd Gyorko will be activated today and part of the Dodgers’ starting lineup.  Gyorko will begin a late-season push for a postseason roster spot.

Just before the buzzer rang on the July 31st trade deadline, the Dodgers pulled off a buzzer-beating trade as they acquired Jedd Gyorko from the St. Louis Cardinals.  The move seemed puzzling at first but given the struggles of Tyler White and the injuries to Chris Taylor and Enrique Hernandez, the move seems like a great insurance move now.

Gyorko will make his Dodger debut today and likely start at first base against the Braves southpaw starter Max Fried.  This is the type of role that Gyorko can help the Dodgers out in, he has mashed left-handed pitching throughout his career.  That hasn’t been the case this season where he struggled due to injuries and had limited at-bats.

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The Dodgers are hoping that Jedd is now healthy and ready to contribute against left-handed pitching.  From 2016-2018, Gyorko slugged .501 and hit .288 with 19 home runs in 337 at-bats against lefties.  Against right-handed pitching, he has not been bad either slugging .448 with 42 home runs in the same three-year span.

Defensively, Gyorko has played every position with the one exception being catcher.  He has even appeared as a pitcher both this year and last year giving the Dodgers another mop-up pitcher in addition to Russell Martin.  Jedd can play first base, second base, third base, and the corner outfield spots.  He has played shortstop but is unlikely to play there with the Dodgers.

By activating him today, the Dodgers give Jedd Gyorko a head start as he tries to battle his way into a postseason roster spot.  It will not be easy, especially with Enrique Hernandez and Chris Taylor both expected to re-join the Dodgers towards the middle of the next week.  Gyorko could knock Tyler White off the roster and provide a backup option for David Freese who has been injured.

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After spending three full seasons in St. Louis and parts of this year, Gyorko once again finds himself in the National League West.  He was once a top prospect with the San Diego Padres and was later dealt to the Cardinals in exchange for outfielder Jon Jay.  Now Jedd will try to make the most of his time back in the NL West.