6:59pm: Ferguson suffered “a pretty good tear,” per Roberts (via Ken Gurnick of MLB.com). The Dodgers are preparing to go without Ferguson for the postseason.
4:38pm: Ferguson’s season appears to be over. Manager Dave Roberts told Sportsnet LA that Ferguson has UCL damage, Pedro Moura of The Athletic tweets. There’s no decision yet on whether Ferguson will undergo Tommy John surgery, but he has already had the procedure once in the past.
3:22pm: The Dodgers announced that left-handed reliever Caleb Ferguson is headed to the 10-day injured list with an elbow issue. They recalled righty Josh Sborz in a corresponding move.
This is a tough loss for the Dodgers’ bullpen, though it’s unclear whether Ferguson will be OK by the time the playoffs start in a couple weeks. Their relief corps has been among the best in the majors, ranking second in ERA and FIP, thanks in part to Ferguson. The 24-year-old has thrown 18 2/3 innings of 2.89 ERA/3.58 FIP ball with 13.02 K/9, 1.45 BB/9 and a 54.5 percent groundball rate this season, all while averaging over 95 mph on his fastball and handling right-handed hitters (.287 weighted on-base average) and lefties (.278) alike.
Even without Ferguson, the Dodgers still boast plenty of capable arms in their bullpen, including Blake Treinen, Kenley Jansen, Victor Gonzalez, Dylan Floro, Jake McGee and Adam Kolarek. And the Dodgers are officially getting back Joe Kelly, whom they reinstated from the injured list Sept. 10 after he missed a month with right shoulder inflammation. Kelly was initially ineligible to pitch after he returned, though, as he had to serve a five-game suspension that’s now up.
What the Dodgers need is a dependable closer.
I’ll take Cody and Muncy reverting back to their 2019 norms over a closer. Can you imagine that lineup if those two get going along with what Mookie, Seager, CT3 and The Fresh Prince are giving? The games wouldn’t be nearly as close. I keep waiting and waiting for them to get it together, but those two look so lost at the plate most days.
Where are you Cody and Max???
Most Dodger fans will be upset with your comment but I agree- Good news is he’s off the books after 21-
I think they go young and cheap with the pen – It starts this offseason by taking a pass on Baez
Baez has become a dependable reliever. Jansen is the best reliever in franchise history (particularly among guys who did it the right way).
Baez is okay but likely expendable. His K/9 is dropping year on year – and it’s difficult for a power reliever to survive with a K/9 under 9, his velocity – while still okay – is going south too, and Dodgers fans are sick of instances like the other day where he let inherited runs from Kershaw score. I don’t think too many fans will be heartbroken if he isn’t tendered next season.
Tough luck for Ferguson though..man, he was putting it together this year.
Jansen worries me. That cutter just ain’t cutting it anymore.
Baez came in and threw grounders. Those inherited runners scoring was due to bad luck. Anyone who watched the game knows this. As for those “fans” who won’t be heartbroken if he’s not tendered, they aren’t exactly the brightest bulbs on the planet. People who have taken to bullying Baez with their derisive comments have been an embarrassment to good Dodger fans. I nearly got into it with one of them in 2018. A typical lazy doofus who will never accomplish in life what Baez already has. I pointed this out to guy — loudly — to the delight of everyone in our section. The doofus didn’t like being the recipient of the derision. He could dish it out but not take it. I hope he learned his lesson. One of my favorite ballpark experiences.
Are you here to talk about Baez, or to tell bar stories about the time you “nearly got into it” with someone – which isn’t something to hang your hat on, by the way. You’re on MLBTradeRumors – no one cares.
Anyway, his dimishing velocity – 3.5mph off his peak, which closes the gap between his fastball and his changeup, his declining K/9, his increasing BB/9…they’re all bad signs.
Tell me more about your “almost” stories though – fascinating.
I liked last year’s version of Baez. Started to get more command of his offspeed stuff and became more of a pitcher than a thrower. That said, it does feel like he’s taken a step down this year and is more hit able. He’s a one year contract guy as long as he’s not too expensive but I’d say expendable.
Oh, and I’m sure you just watched Baez let another inherited runner score – right on cue.
The fans who wouldn’t be heartbroken if Baez is not re-signed might be the same fans who are tired of him completely falling apart every time he’s put in in a close game. He’s great in low pressure situations though.
Cant sign um all., Best wishes Baez ; go get yourself paid –
We have many “others” who need the be paid before him down the road
Cey Hey- Its not being a bad fan to say we cant sign everyone every time; its called being realistic – Im sorry if that was your favorite ballpark exp
What do you expect? This internet tough guy praises Baez while using the term “doofus” in referring to someone who had a different and, from the sound of it, more accurate opinion than him. Quite frankly, Cey Hey sounds like a clown.
As far as Jansen being the best ever dodger closer some of the old dodger fans may remember Larry Sherry or Ron Perranowski
Heh heh
Eric Gagne has to come into the conversation too.
Except Gagne cheated. For that reason I don’t include him at all.
/r/IAmVeryBadAss
Dodger fan here and I totally agree with your comment. Jansen’s velocity has dipped way too much the last few seasons in order for his signature cutter to be a strikeout pitch. I guess the FO says, “We’ve invested too much money in this guy to have someone else close.” (Even though he blows lots of important saves)
Jansen’s defining issue isn’t the decline in velocity, it’s the lack of command. He often misses by a lot, and that is something we didn’t see before. Not for nothing is his BB way up.
Elsewhere, Joc Pederson has been placed on the family medical emergency list. It’s been a rough go for the Pedersons. Please keep them in your thoughts.
Cleanup hitter Will Smith does it again! He is rapidly becoming the best catcher in baseball. He plays Gold Glove=caliber defense, hits everything hard, and has the best walk rate in baseball. A prime candidate for the first of the Dodgers’ young guns to be extended.
Wont be able to if you want to extend every Pedro Baez that comes along
Dare I say the Dodgers have the best catching in the league? I’m a big fan of Barnes. Might not have the most power, but he plays decent D, gets on base and has above average speed.
Doubtful the dodgers pay big money for a closer ever again. They tend to favor Sabre metric guys in bunches versus the one big time closer for their bullpen
I believe one of the reasons they traded for Graterol is the hope that he can work into the closer role on a post-Jansen Dodgers. He is kind of a rough product at the moment but if he can command his pitches more consistently he could be the successor. It’s an apostasy to say it, but May could also be the one. If he’s unable to develop a quality third pitch closing would be next best thing for him.
Cause the big money closers are never worth it.