Dodgers get Edgardo Henriquez update as postseason bullpen picture comes together

One of many things that makes the Los Angeles Dodgers so infuriating to competitors is how lucky they get when it comes to injuries. Over their last three seasons, their pitching staff has been riddled with shoulder inflammation and elbow impingements, and so on — but they always seem to get their key players back exactly when they need them.

They might have lost Blake Treinen in their last series of this season, but he's had a tough year and wasn't a lock for the postseason roster anyway. The real concern was for Edgardo Henriquez, who's been missing since September 14 with lower back discomfort.

Henriquez was officially activated from the IL on Tuesday, but his status ahead of the NLDS still seemed touch-and-go, given how fresh off injury he'll be with zero runway.

There are still boxes he has to check, but Dodgers GM Brandon Gomes said on Tuesday that he's trending the right direction. Katie Woo reported, "should he come out of all bye-week activities (live hitters, sim games, etc), he'll be on the NLDS roster."

The back end of the Dodgers' bullpen has no clear hierarchy right now, so Henriquez would be a welcome addition for later innings.

Edgardo Henriquez trending positively toward returning for Dodgers' NLDS

It's hard to guess what Dave Roberts' trust tree might look like heading into October. Tanner Scott, Edwin Díaz, and Tanner Scott are the obvious closing options, but Scott posted a 4.15 ERA in September, Díaz showed signs of life after his IL stint but still isn't truly trustworthy, and there's no telling if Sasaki will turn back into the lights-out closer he became last season.

The Dodgers used Henriquez as early as the third and as a late as extra innings over the course of the regular season, but he picked up two saves in nine games finished this year. His ability to throw 100+ MPH with regularity is his greatest asset, as long as he can control his pitches.

He was trending toward a more regular eighth- or ninth-inning role before he got hurt, as the Dodgers had to go with closers by committee with Díaz's absences and Scott struggling a little more. Henriquez has been effective anywhere between the seventh and ninth, with just a .191 batting average and .553 OPS against.

The Dodgers' bullpen being as shaky as it still is, the onus will be on the starters (again) to go as deep into games as possible, but Henriquez's presence should add a little more assurance.

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