The Dodgers announced that they’ve placed left-handers Scott Kazmir and Brett Anderson on the 15-day disabled list and optioned right-hander Josh Fields to Triple-A Oklahoma City. In a series of corresponding moves, the team has recalled infielder Charlie Culberson, left-hander Luis Avilan and right-hander Ross Stripling from Triple-A.
Reports earlier today suggested that Kazmir was headed for an evaluation of his ailing back and neck, and the Dodgers’ press release announcing the moves lists the reason for his DL trip as neck inflammation. Anderson, meanwhile, was forced to exit his most recent start early due to a blister on his left index finger. Kazmir’s DL placement, incredibly, pushes the Dodgers into a tie for the Major League record with 27 different players placed on the disabled list in a single regular season, as Andy McCullough of the Los Angeles Times tweets.
The list of pitchers the Dodgers currently have on the disabled list is deeper and more talented than most teams’ entire rotations. Kazmir and Anderson will join Clayton Kershaw, Alex Wood, Brandon McCarthy, Hyun-jin Ryu and Rich Hill on the DL, though Hill is lined up to make his Dodgers debut tomorrow. This latest pair of injuries means the Dodgers will rely on Hill, Kenta Maeda, Bud Norris and perhaps rookie Julio Urias in the next trip through the rotation, with Stripling, Brock Stewart and Carlos Frias each representing options for the vacant fifth spot.
The 28-year-old Anderson missed the first four-plus months of the season due to a back operation that he underwent in Spring Training, and he’s been roughed up for 11 earned runs in just four innings across two appearances since returning earlier this month. Certainly, he’ll hope for a minimal stay on the disabled list, both so he can return and help his club for the September postseason push and so that he can demonstrate at least some semblance of health prior to his arrival on the open market as a free agent this winter.
Kazmir, meanwhile, has been perhaps surprisingly durable for the Dodgers this year after signing a three-year, $48MM contract with an opt-out clause after the first year. The 32-year-old’s 25 starts lead the team, but he’ll soon cede that honor to Maeda. In 135 1/3 innings this year, Kazmir has posted a sub-par 4.59 ERA, and this injury presumably makes it less likely that he’ll be willing to roll the dice and opt out of his contract even with a weak market that is lacking in the way of top tier competition.
How in the world are the Dodgers in first place?
I was thinking the same thing, but looking at it, they have gotten great seasons from Seager, Turner and Grandal, plus their bullpen is outstanding and the front office assembled a remarkable amount of depth. Kendrick is having a good season and A-Gon is coming around too. People were wondering why they had like ten starting pitchers at the beginning of the season, and this was why. Having the kind of payroll to do that helps a lot. Two of the five highest payrolls in baseball are in the NL West, and it’s not a surprise that those two teams are in first and second.
Or maybe it was because the Giants totally melted down. They’ve compiled the worst record in the NL after the All Star break. That’ll do it even if the competition is only slightly above breakeven, which is what the Dodgers have been since then.
Yeah that may be true but the same can be said about the Giants schedule and their unsustainable play in the 1st half.
Both but it also helps that they had a top 2/3 farm system with a source of their problems ready to fill in or on the cusp. Strip and Urias have provided more than could ever be expected. DeLeon is right there. Even the fill in haves provided something. Let’s not kid ourselves though the reason the dodgers are in first is because their resurgent offense and bullpen. There is thin hope that Kersh, Hill, and Kaz return heathy and Maeda continues to stay healthy. Then and only then do the Dodgers have a shot in the playoffs all things being equal.
For sure the Giants had the easier first-half schedule but no matter whether a team puts up a W or an L, it remains on their record no matter what happens after. The point being a team has to win those easier contests for them to compete over the course of the season. On the depth thing I really don’t know. When we look at how much the fill-ins contributed to actual victories, I’d have to say the jury is still out. For instance with Stripling, of the 11 games he’s started, the Dodgers have won 5. As for Kazmir, I hope he goes away and stay away, but I don’t suppose we are going to get that lucky.
Dodgers…setting more records…
And not the good ones. Sigh.
I know our bullpen is good. But I wanna see the Dodgers sign Greg Holland as an 8th inning guy. I think that would top our bullpen. It would be fun to watch. Holland has quality stuff