Dodgers News: 5 players released, NL playoff race, Tarik Skubal on first start in LA

The quiet part that no one really talks about during the draft is that in itself, it marks the beginning of the end for dozens of veterans in the minors across baseball. Once prospects get assigned to either the rookie leagues, or an affiliate, organizations need to make space and the Los Angeles Dodgers are no different.

Over the past week, as noted on the Dodgers' transaction logs across their various affiliates, LA has released five players. Now, there is some context needed. In most cases, these are players that the casual fan wasn't even aware of. Perhaps there's a veteran sprinkled in depending on the terms of their minor-league deal, but these typically are players who aren't exactly close to the majors.

Dodgers News: LA creates space for 2026 draft class with recent releases

As for the names specific to the Dodgers, they were catcher Chase Adkinson followed by pitchers Peter Bonilla, Jhonny Jimenez, Alvaro Benua, and Wuillians Herrera.

Ironically, three of the releases were from the Dodgers international free-agent class of 2021, and one from 2022. That speaks to the lottery-ticket feel of those signings, especially when they aren't the notables ones like Roki Sasaki.

As for Adkinson, he was signed from the St. Louis Cardinals earlier this season and served as additional catching depth for the organization. Depth that was no longer needed after the Dodgers reunited with both Ben Rortvedt and Hunter Feduccia at the trade deadline.

Dodgers News: Recent skid adds more context to NL playoff race

Dave Roberts attempted to light a fire under the Dodgers recently, essentially referring to the team as a wild-card team. The Dodgers should win the National League West, but with the Milwaukee Brewers having the best record in baseball and the Atlanta Braves holding the tie-breaker over Los Angeles, they wouldn't have a first-round bye.

That currently puts the Dodgers on track to host the Philadelphia Phillies in the National League Wild Card round. Only three games separate the Dodgers from the Brewers, so there isn't exactly a need to sound the alarms yet. That said, a Phillies team that just added Luis Arraez at the deadline would be a tough draw to open the postseason.

Dodgers News: Tarik Skubal admits the nerves were high during home debut

It wasn't exactly a Cy Young type of performance for Tarik Skubal in his home debut with the Dodgers. While he was dominant in a losing effort against the Chicago Cubs last week, he was touched up on Monday night, giving up three runs on four hits and two talks in five innings of work. He wasn't the deciding pitcher, but he still struck out six, and the Dodgers got the win.

One reason why Skubal may have looked off on Monday? Nerves. Skubal told reporters after the game that his nerves were higher than normal in his Dodger stadium debut as a member of the home team.

“I’d be lying [if I said I didn't feel nerves],” Skubal said. “I think nerves are a good thing. The day I'm pitching and I don't have nerves is probably the day I retire, because I think having nerves just means you care. ... This one was special to me. The nerves were a little bit higher, but it just means you care.”

Yes, the Dodgers certainly will need Skubal to be, well, Skubal, but it's hard to be up in arms after a victory. As long as the machine is rolling by October, that's all that matters.

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