Dodgers make two desperate pitching additions after brutal Kopech, Treinen news

With Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow's recent moves to the IL, it's been easy to overlook the fact that the Dodgers also have three key bullpen arms on the shelf. Brusdar Graterol was more or less expected to start the season on the IL in some capacity, but Michael Kopech went onto the 15-day during spring training, and Blake Treinen joined him on April 19 with forearm tightness after pitching just eight innings.

The Dodgers have guys to cover for them (Luis García, Ben Casparius, Jack Dreyer) who have done decent-to-great work so far, but Kopech and Treinen's injuries especially are subtle reminders that the Dodgers have major issues with how they develop and train their pitching staff.

With two starters gone and still without timelines to return, the bullpen is going to have to bear the brunt of a lot of innings in the meantime.

On Thursday, the Dodgers picked up two relievers — JP Feyereisen, who pitched 11 innings for the Dodgers last year, and Cardinals righty Ryan Loutos — before delivering the ugly news: Kopech and Treinen are joining Graterol on the 60-day IL.

Dodgers pick up former bullpen member JP Feyereisen, Ryan Loutos as Michael Kopech, Blake Treinen go onto the 60-day IL

Feyereisen was traded to the Dodgers from the Rays in the offseason between 2022 and 2023, but he didn't appear in the majors that year after undergoing labrum and rotator cuff surgery. He finally debuted in 2024 and was part of LA's majors-to-minors and back again carousel throughout the season before he elected free agency at the end of the year. He signed a minor-league deal with the Diamondbacks this season, but was DFA'ed after two innings in the majors, leaving the Dodgers to snag him off of the waiver wire.

Loutos was an undrafted signing for the Cardinals in 2021. He earned his major league debut last season, pitching 2 2/3 scoreless frames in three appearances, but was DFA'ed and cleared off of St. Louis' 40-man roster on Monday. The Dodgers sent cash back to the Cardinals in exchange.

While we probably won't see Feyereisen nor Loutus right away, it's only a matter of time. Matt Sauer, a member of this year's carousel, was sent down to make room for Tony Gonsolin on the active roster, but if another injury is incurred, then they'll have Sauer, Noah Davis, Feyereisen, and Loutus to choose from and cycle in and out.