Eagle-eyed Dodgers sleuths might've uncovered a wild addition to playoff roster mix

The Los Angeles Dodgers' bullpen is the most undecided part of their roster ahead of the NLDS against either the Atlanta Braves or the Philadelphia Phillies. Although they cleaned up their act somewhat in the last few weeks of the regular season, fans are still waiting to see if Edwin Díaz has cleaned up his act enough to join them in October, or if the Dodgers are going to carry 12 relievers instead of 13, and so on.

Blake Treinen just went onto the IL with a shoulder injury, but the Dodgers recalled Bobby Miller to take his roster spot. Miller probably won't be a consideration for the postseason roster, but the Dodgers aren't hurting for other options.

Díaz, Roki Sasaki, Tanner Scott, Alex Vesia, Evan Phillips, Brock Stewart, Justin Wrobleski, Kris Bubic, and Edgardo Henriquez figure to be the nine bullpen arms LA will carry into October.

But eagle-eyed Dodgers fans noticed something strange on the transactions page. Lefty pitcher Ronan Kopp, who was added to the 40-man to protect him from last year's Rule 5 draft, was recalled from Triple-A along with Hyeseong Kim. Could we be seeing a bizarre late addition to the postseason roster?

Dodgers recall lefty pitcher Ronan Kopp ahead of NLDS roster release

Kopp was the Dodgers' No. 17 prospect in 2024, but he quietly slid out of the top-30 by the end of the 2025 season after struggling in Triple-A. He continued to do so this season, pitching 46⅓ innings for a 6.80 ERA. He has decent strikeout stuff, but also gives up a ridiculous amount of walks (43 this season), good for a 1.86 WHIP.

This would make any inclusion on the postseason roster mystifying, and it suggests that news of injury might be headed our way. Maybe it's just an insurance plan for Henriquez, who is still on the IL with lower back discomfort, or maybe another reliever has been quietly nursing discomfort.

Even so, it's still a confusing choice. What about any of Landon Knack, Emmet Sheehan, or even Seth Halvorsen, who have spent more time in the majors? Knack and Sheehan even have postseason experience. Is this actually a sign of something, or is it procedural?

NLDS rosters will be due on Saturday morning ahead of Game 1. We figured that the Dodgers would have a few surprises in store, but this would exceed expectations.

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