SAN FRANCISCO — Even bullpen games get extra rest in the Dodgers’ starting rotation.
The Dodgers pivoted from an expected bullpen game on Wednesday night, instead promoting right-handers Elieser Hernandez and Eduardo Salazar from Triple-A Oklahoma City.
In the starting rotation for OKC, Hernandez was 4-1 with a 2.83 ERA in Triple-A. He started for the Dodgers Wednesday – his first major-league start since Oct. 5, 2022 with the Miami Marlins.
“Talking it through with our guys, having someone who can take down a substantial part of the game, given where we’re at as far as how many games we’re playing in a row,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “Because we used Yarbs (Ryan Yarbrough) the last couple days (in San Diego) … (we don’t) have a true length guy. To run through five or six guys (in a bullpen game) didn’t make as much sense versus giving a guy some rein to take down the game.”
Yarbrough pitched on back-to-back days Saturday and Sunday in San Diego for the first time this season. He didn’t go multiple innings either time – an indication the Dodgers are considering using him in a shorter, situational-left-hander role to supplement Alex Vesia.
The Dodgers no longer view right-hander Michael Grove as a “bulk” option out of the bullpen either. With four high-leverage relievers on the injured list (Evan Phillips, Ryan Brasier, Brusdar Graterol and Joe Kelly), the Dodgers have had to adjust some roles in their bullpen.
“As far as taking down three or four, he’s not in that capacity,” Roberts said of Grove.
Wednesday’s spot start was necessitated by the Dodgers’ inclination to give right-hander Tyler Glasnow five days off before his next start on Thursday. Glasnow has not pitched on less than five days of rest yet this season.
The Dodgers have also prioritized extra rest for rookie right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto and there are indications he could be pushed back even further and get six days of rest before starting on Monday against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Yamamoto has made five starts on five days of rest, four on six days or more. When he has had six days or more, he has built a ‘no-throw’ day into his workout schedule between starts. He did not throw during Wednesday’s pre-game workout at Oracle Park.
If Yamamoto is pushed back for extra rest, the Dodgers would go with a bullpen game on Sunday against the Cincinnati Reds or call up another starter from Triple-A. Landon Knack would be eligible to return by then. He was 1-1 with a 2.81 ERA in three starts for the Dodgers earlier this season and pitched most recently on Sunday for OKC.
REHAB ROUNDUP
Phillips threw a bullpen session before Wednesday’s game. It was Phillips’ first time throwing off a mound since injuring his hamstring on May 3.
“It went really well,” Roberts said. “It’s a slower process for him but he got off the mound and he’s going to get off the mound in the next two, three days. He feels good. Getting better every day.”
Phillips is not expected to be ready to return immediately after he becomes eligible on Sunday.
Outfielder Jason Heyward continued his rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Wednesday night. Roberts said there would be a discussion after the game about how many more games – if any – Heyward needs to play before coming off the injured list. He has been out since March 30 with a lower back strain.
Meanwhile, Shohei Ohtani has increased the length of his throwing sessions. Returning from a second Tommy John surgery last fall, Ohtani started his throwing program in late March with 50 throws every other day from a short distance.
He is still throwing only from about 50 feet but he made over 70 throws during Wednesday’s session and is throwing harder at times. Ohtani is not expected to pitch until 2025 but he could be throwing to hitters in simulated-game sessions before the end of this season.
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OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS
After a slow start with runners in scoring position, Teoscar Hernandez leads the Dodgers with 36 RBIs, third in the majors. The top half of the Dodgers’ lineup has fed him a steady diet of at-bats with runners on. Going into Wednesday’s game, Hernandez led the majors in at-bats with runners in scoring position (57) and was tied for the major-league lead with Freddie Freeman in at-bats with runners on base (87).
“I think that obviously the opportunities have to present themselves, but you still have to be able to drive in a run and Teoscar, his entire career, has driven in runs and values the Run Batted In,” Roberts said. “That’s how you win games. It’s a combo. We’ve got four guys, sometimes five in front of him that get on base but he’s still gotta do the work to drive in the runs.”
ALSO
In order to make room for Elieser Hernandez and Salazar on the roster, the Dodgers optioned Gus Varland to OKC and designated Nabil Crismatt for assignment.
UP NEXT
Reds (TBA) at Dodgers (RHP Tyler Glasnow, 6-1, 2.53 ERA), Thursday, 7:10 p.m., SportsNet LA, 570 AM