Dodgers roster crunch partially solves itself after pitcher has season-ending surgery

The Dodgers haven't been able to kick the nasty injury bug that spread through the clubhouse last year. The bullpen has already been especially hit hard; Evan Phillips, Michael Kopech, and Brusdar Graterol are all slated to start the season on the IL, and Edgardo Henriquez joined them there after an undisclosed incident led to a foot injury that will keep him out for 4-6 weeks. Dave Roberts declined to share how the injury was sustained.

The latest to go down is Michael Grove, a former top Dodgers prospect who might've been squeezed off the roster with a few NRIs impressing in spring training anyway. He underwent a labrum repair surgery over the weekend and is still present at Camelback, but we won't see him on the mound anytime this season.

This gives the Dodgers fewer depth options, but fewer decisions to make when they have to set their eight-man bullpen by stateside Opening Day. Alex Vesia, Blake Treinen, Kirby Yates, Tanner Scott, and Anthony Banda are all locked in. Roberts said Ben Casparius has a good shot at making the roster, but that still leaves two spots open.

Michael Grove undergoes season-ending shoulder surgery as Dodgers whittle down bullpen options

A number of NRI pitchers have already been sent back to minor league camp, but Matt Sauer has been told he'll be on the Dodgers' 31-man travel roster to Tokyo, so he could be an option for the 26-man. The Dodgers will also need somewhere to put whichever of Tony Gonsolin, Dustin May, and Bobby Miller don't make the rotation (though May might start in the minors on a rehab assignment), and 2024 rookies Landon Knack and Justin Wrobleski are also still on the 40-man.

The Dodgers have been stubborn about standing by Grove despite his struggles over his last three years in the majors (he has a 5.48 career ERA), but he seemed like a distant possibility to make the Opening Day bullpen even when he was healthy given that Knack put in more time in the majors last year and looked better doing it.

Still, it's not a good sign that LA is already short this many pitchers in spring training. They're not the only ones; early injuries have been sweeping the league again. But the Dodgers may have to resort once again to that Triple-A carousel they had to employ last year to keep the bullpen going.