Dodgers: 3 bullpen roster swaps LAD should already consider

1. Edward Cuello for Garrett Cleavinger

The Dodgers got a steal from the Phillies this offseason when they were able to nab Garrett Cleavinger … in theory.

Unfortunately, in practice, Cleavinger has a remarkable 2.538 WHIP in 4.1 innings pitched, something we didn’t know was possible. Teach us your ways! Or … or don’t. Teach no one.

We’d like to see prospect Edward Cuello take Cleavinger’s roster spot, even though the 22-year-old isn’t currently on the 40-man roster. The Dodgers’ remaining arms at Triple-A are a mix of has-beens, never-wases, and veterans who are waiting out their injury window (Brandon Morrow, we could really use you!), and Cuello remains the most intriguing arm at the upper level who hasn’t already been poached.

In other words, we’ll take him over Mike Kickham, who doesn’t feel like an upgrade over Cleavinger.

Thus far in 2021, Cuello is working on 3.1 shutout across two appearances, striking out four men. In totality, his minor-league career has been spent below the 3.00-ERA threshold (2.58), and he leapt from just 16 innings of full-season ball prior to 2019 all the way to Triple-A this year. That says plenty about how the organization views him.

Assuming May really is on the 10-Day shelf (procedurally), it should be extremely easy to add Cuello to the big-league club in the coming weeks.

Dodgers: 3 replacements for Dustin May after Tommy John surgery news

The Los Angeles Dodgers lost Dustin May for the year due to Tommy John surgery. Who can replace him? We have some internal and external options.