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The Los Angeles Dodgers have spent the past several seasons cycling relievers in and out endlessly to soak up innings throughout the regular season. Why would their blueprint in the postseason be any different?
The Dodgers authored the only sweep of the Wild Card round, knocking off the late-charging Cincinnati Reds in two, but the set wasn't without peril. Somehow, both blowout wins had moments of teeth-gnashing late, as tryout bullpen arms like Edgardo Henriquez, Jack Dreyer, Emmet Sheehan, and even Alex Vesia struggled to land strikes (to put it mildly).
There was a brief moment at the end of the season when it seemed like Clayton Kershaw's home farewell might be his final appearance in Dodger Blue. But after an effective relief outing in the desert, and a first-round series' worth of 'pen meltdowns from a seemingly endless parade of middle relievers, that seemed less and less plausible.
Naturally, the Dodgers made the only decision they could've when their NLDS roster dropped Saturday morning before their showdown with the Phillies. Kershaw and left-hander Anthony Banda (a 2024 playoff stalwart) were added to the roster. Off the list? Henriquez and Justin Wrobleski.
Here’s the Dodgers’ NLDS roster, which includes Clayton Kershaw and Anthony Banda as two of four lefty relievers.
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) October 4, 2025
Justin Wrobleski and Edgardo Henriquez come off the roster. pic.twitter.com/kNaMKurRDW
Dodgers Playoff Roster vs. Phillies: Clayton Kershaw joins NLDS roster, Edgardo Henriquez drops off
Wrobleski didn't appear in the first round of this year's postseason, but Henriquez unfortunately did, and it wasn't pretty. His 102 MPH fastball failed to find the corners - or the middle - as the three-batter minimum mercifully put an end to his outing after a single and pair of walks in Game 1. He may eventually be a secret weapon hiding in the depths of this 40-man roster, but today is not that day. 2025 is not that year.
Kershaw won't earn a start in this series. He won't be the surprise closer, either; that honor will go to the other guy who shared his bullpen audition in Arizona, Roki Sasaki. But there certainly might come a moment for the legend to have his David Cone 2000 World Series moment, and he won't be overwhelmed.
At the very least, he'll certainly land 'em.