The Los Angeles Dodgers raise their second straight championship banner at Dodger Stadium on Thursday. A celebration is planned. Their injury report heading into it, however, is worth noting.
On the eve of Opening Day, the Dodgers announced seven players will begin the season on the injured list. The names on that list include some significant ones.
Here is the full picture.
The Seven Players Heading to the IL
GettyBlake Snell of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Blake Snell leads the group, placed on the 15-day IL with left shoulder fatigue. Tommy Edman is the lone position player of the seven, landing on the 10-day IL as he continues to rehab from right ankle surgery he had over the offseason.
The pitching injuries run deep. Gavin Stone joins Snell on the 15-day IL with right shoulder inflammation. Brusdar Graterol and Brock Stewart are both on the 15-day IL recovering from right shoulder surgery. Landon Knack rounds out the 15-day group with an undisclosed injury.
Bobby Miller was placed on the 60-day IL with right shoulder soreness. All seven placements are retroactive to March 22.
The Dodgers Sign Jake Cousins
Right-handed reliever Jake Cousins, who has signed a major league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Miller’s move to the 60-day IL created a roster spot, and the Dodgers filled it quickly. The club announced the signing of right-handed reliever Jake Cousins to a major league contract late Tuesday night.
Cousins spent 2024 with the New York Yankees, where he was one of their more reliable bullpen arms. He posted a 2.37 ERA across 38 innings, striking out 53 batters against 20 walks before being non-tendered in November.
Cousins is currently rehabbing from Tommy John surgery and is not expected back until the second half of the season at the earliest. He is a depth addition with an eye toward the stretch run rather than an immediate fix.
What It Means for the Dodgers
The shoulder injuries are the most notable thread running through this list. Snell, Stone, Graterol, Stewart, and Miller are all dealing with shoulder-related issues of varying severity. Together, losing that many pitchers before the first pitch of the season puts pressure on the depth of a rotation and bullpen that was already being asked to carry a heavy load.
Still, the Dodgers have the resources to manage it. Their roster is deep enough to absorb early-season absences better than most clubs in baseball. Seven IL placements on the eve of a championship banner raise is not ideal, but it is a situation they are equipped to handle.
Meanwhile, Edman’s ankle is the other situation worth monitoring. He was one of their most important players down the stretch last season, and getting him back healthy will matter as the year develops.
Final Word for the Dodgers
The banner goes up on Thursday regardless. After all, the Dodgers are the defending champions and built to contend again this season.
Even so, seven players on the IL is a number that warrants attention. Getting them back healthy, particularly Snell and Edman, will go a long way in determining how serious this team looks by the time October arrives.
The season starts now.
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