10:19PM: The Honeywell claim has now been officially announced, via the Dodgers’ team transactions page on MLB.com. In the corresponding move, Yoshinobu Yamamoto was shifted from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL, so August 15 now represents the earliest Yamamoto can return from his rotator cuff strain. Yamamoto has seemingly been making good progress in the initial steps of his recovery, as manager Dave Roberts has said Yamamoto has been playing catch.
1:45PM: The Dodgers have claimed right-hander Brent Honeywell Jr. off waivers from the Pirates, as noted by MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand. L.A. will need to make a corresponding 40-man roster move, though one has not yet been announced.
Honeywell, 29, is best known for his time in the Rays system as a top prospect. A lengthy series of injuries that included Tommy John surgery and multiple elbow fractures left Honeywell to pitch just 103 1/3 innings in professional games from 2018 to 2022. Nonetheless, the righty managed to make it to the majors last year with the Padres. He posted a decent 4.05 ERA in 46 2/3 innings of work with San Diego but was pushed off the roster down the stretch last summer and ended up with the White Sox. He was lit up for seven runs in just 5 2/3 innings of work during his brief stint with the South Siders and departed for free agency over the winter.
Back in February, Honeywell signed with Pittsburgh on a minor league deal and started the season with the club’s affiliate in Triple-A. He pitched to a 4.85 ERA across 39 innings of work with a 19.6% strikeout rate and a 10.1% walk rate during his time in the minors. That somewhat lackluster performance still earned him a brief call up to the majors, however, and Honeywell excelled by the results in that limited showing with a 2.70 ERA in 3 1/3 frames, although he walked one more batter than he struck out in that cup of coffee. Honeywell was designated for assignment yesterday after just a few days in the majors, but he’ll evidently get another chance at the big league level with the Dodgers.
With Los Angeles, Honeywell will continue trying to unlock the talent that made him a top prospect during his time in Tampa. Back in 2017, the right-hander was one of the game’s top pitching prospects after posting a 3.64 ERA and 2.84 FIP in 24 starts at the Triple-A level where he struck out 29.1% of batters faced against a walk rate of just 5.9%. He’s several years removed from those sensational numbers at this point, but his time with the Padres last year showed that even with his current diminished strikeout (20.6% in San Diego) and walk (9.8%) rates he can still be an effective middle relief arm.
While the Dodgers’ bullpen has been among the best in baseball overall this year, they’ve struggled somewhat in recent weeks. Since the calendar flipped to June, the club’s 3.46 relief ERA remains solid, but their 4.18 FIP is bottom ten in the majors and suggests they could be in for some regression as the season wears on. The introduction of Honeywell, who can at least provide the club with another arm in the final weeks leading up to the trade deadline, should allow the Dodgers to help keep their relief options fresh as the club likely contemplates other additions in the coming weeks.
Yuck. More dumpster diving.
Yohan was dumpster diving. He’s been very serviceable for them
And Banda
Ramirez and Banda both have significant MLB records to look at, and when you do that you will find they both come in below average in just about every pitching metric. So this is the best indicator of what can be expected of them outside of a tiny sample. They are cannon fodder, at best. Honeywell is more of the same.
Yohan will meet to show a little more with Kelly and Graterol coming back. But Banda is going to be on the playoff roster. That’s pretty good for a dumpster dive
I don’t follow this at all, let alone as a response to my point.
Well, Yohan is 0-4, with a 4.57 ERA. I guess serviceable is in the eye of the beholder. He gave up a walk off two run homer in the 10th, today. It was the only guy he faced. Banda must be who amk meant. He has done a fine job and did again today.
Both of them put up below average metrics over multiple years of pitching in the majors. The rules of statistics being what they are, it’s unrealistic to expect Banda to not regress to his mean performance the longer he is called on to pitch, unless you believe he’s suddenly gotten better. It happens, but you have to be able to point to some reason why. I’m not aware of any, and magic doesn’t qualify. They are both marginal journeymen. Do either of them belong on a team that hopes to win in October? You tell me.
This didn’t age well
Sure didn’t did it lol. “Dumpster dive” 3 scoreless while being a closer all year. Yohan 0-5 blowing games. Steady.
Nothing is more annoying then dodgers fans complaining about dumster diving
Then prepared to be very annoyed, if it comes that easily for you.
This team is unwatchable, and has been for a couple of months now. In late July you look for fixes not castoffs.
Happily you are not running the team. Who’s using your seats since you find the Dodgers unwatchable?
So you’re saying they are looking good? Please elaborate.
They have been decimated by injuries and have played barely .500 ball over several weeks. Everyone knows that. They’ll get healthy and will add a couple of pieces. Check in here for updates since you can’t bear to watch.
Injuries have little to do with the crap pen unless you want to argue the value of Joe Kelly. Injuries have nothign to do with bad defense, their bad RISP, and the awful bottom of the line up.
They’ve been playing .50o ball for two months now. Sorry you decided to be snarky instead of responding to my point. I expect that from others here but not usually from you.
If only today’s game had been unwatchable. Unfortunately I saw it all.
every team has injuries, you don’t hear them use that as an excuse
whaaaa
cry me a river
Bluesky- U and i often have had differences regarding the sport and players, tho must say dumpster diving by our each favorite teams regarding the BP has aggrivated myself as well this year.
One of my favorite to watch LAD arms, Dustin May hopefully returning soon? Isn’t Big Red a year into his TJ? Would it be a decent idea to slot him into short relief on his return?
Not sure who deserves the blame for this bullpen revolving door, Roberts or Friedman. Tired of hearing about fresh arms.
We’ve heard very little about May’s progress but given when his surgery took place it seems unlikely we will see him again this season. Maybe near the very end out of the bullpen, best case scenario.
Blame the guy who makes the rosters. Last time I checked, it wasn’t the manager.
@TheMan. Yes we do (other teams)
Dude you are nuts. Unwatchable? LOL they have the best lineup in the game and the best all around team in the game. The injury bug has struck watch the game and sit on your couch where you type all day weirdo.
Agree with Mojo here.
They are winning the division with Yamamoto, Glasnow, Kershaw, Buehler, Miller and Muncy on IL. Let’s worry less about 108 regular season wins and more about setting up for a deep lost season run with the Phillies, Atlanta and Brewers all looking good and even the Padres and Giants with Snell, Ray and Cobb joining Ramos look good. The Dodgers need a good starter and two good relievers for the post-season m my but they don’t need them until July 31st. Stone, Knack and Paxton are doing their jobs and Friedman and Gomes know what is at stake after spending for Ohtani, Yamamoto, and Glasnow.
Manny you know as well as I do that the Dodgers can win this division by default, so the question is whether they can win in the postseason. Even Dave Roberts admits that his team is not playing well enough now, and he isn’t making excuses for it the way some fans always seem to do, no matter what they see going on in the games. I see bad baseball being played and I call it. Injuries are no excuse.
Unwatchable? You obviously didn’t live through the 90’s Dodgers. Even the best teams ever lost 50+ games a season
I sat in the stands watching those ’90s Dodgers, so no Cracker Jack prize for you.
But again, I guess some don’t know bad baseball when they see it being played. I somehow don’t view that as being my fault.
But wait wait wait…you poured all of your resources into Saint Ohtani, and it’s like you got worse?
But how can that be? He’s the GOAT.
If you saw the 90’s dodgers, why don’t you have any perspective? This team might win 100 games, and that’s a bit different than those 80 win teams
It seems it’s you who lacks in perspective. Those teams were starved by clueless owners. They were often unwatchable too but we knew why they were unwatchable. They played to half-empty stadiums for a reason. But when one of the highest payroll teams in baseball, loaded with talent, still performs like those talent-starved teams, the problem is different one. But like I said, even Dave Roberts admits this, so why a fan wouldn’t, that beats me. So yeah, I’ll go along with a lack perspective.
All I was addressing was the accusation that they were “unwatchable”. Ownership and their money has nothing to do with watching a game. And if it does, you need some perspective.
Painful to watch, then. All that talent showing so little of it. Okay? Get it?
138 RPs rostered by Dodgers in 2024, over or under?
You can’t have caviar everyday BlueSkies. Your team did some heavy signings this year.
You’re right they aren’t the Marlins, they’re just playing like them. I feel better already! Thanks!
lol 16 games above .500, just like the marlins – unwatchable
All based on the first six weeks or so of the season. They’ve been a .500 club for two months now, which is objectively mediocre. I compared to the Marlins because nobody expects them to win due to the lack of talent. I thought that was obvious, but I guess even seemingly obvious stuff needs to be explained.
He’ll be pitching tomorrow
Tough dude, hope he can find a way to stick in the mlb. Good flyer for the dodgers
4 years of control over a high ceiling arm. How did he fall to the Dodgers? Wow.
That ceiling is a lot lower than it used to be
It’s like that ceiling in the bugs apartment in Men in Black
Kelly about to return. Graterol now on a rehab. Honeycutt seems like insurance at best.
Wish it was Honeycutt.
Not even mad. I know next to nothing about Honeywell, but if the Dodgers can get him to pare his “15 different pitches” repertoire/mindset to his most effective three or two, as a reliever, he could be a find. Velocity, although not 99 anymore, is still around 95 so he could be plenty effective if used where he can excel.
This would be in triple-A.
This seems backward. The Dodgers claiming the Pirates castoffs. Hudson, Banda, Ramirez, and now Honeywell.
Not a great move by the Pirates considering the list of those with no production.
he’s a pitcher not a hitter or did you just wake up from your nap?
The Bucs have one of the best pitching staffs in the majors
I think you need to wake up and recognize that he’s an innings eater. Why move him when Taylor and Grandall are dead weight? They aren’t limited to that one transaction either. Ditch the dead weight.
Agreed, but how do they just drop Grandal when the other catchers are as bad as him and he’s been given credit for working with Skenes?
I don’t have the answers. You’re right, there’s a great deal of dead weight here. But the off season is going to say a lot about what their goals are, whether regarding finances or baseball competitiveness
I was wondering where that comment came from. The Dodgers pen got ambushed by the Tigers today. 5 in the 9th and 2 in the 10th to walk them off.
Human Being is blaming that Dodgers loss on Pittsburgh’s dead weight, Grandal and Taylor.
Or from the innings eater Honeywell is
Choose one
Actually no. Was focusing on the Pirates.
you should change your name to something more appropriate to your poorly educated self
Human Being doesn’t meet that criteria
Maybe I can change my name to The Man 3 and act like I’m three?
if you followed the Pirates to any extent,! you would know that they don’t have anyone in the minors to replace Taylor or Grandal. Instead you make comments on something you know nothing about
Pirate fans have known since ST that neither were good signings but guess what, HB?
We aren’t the General Manager
Now back to Honeywell. His 4.85 Triple A era will go far for the Dodgers as I laugh out loud
Why it’s the HUMAN BEAN making more nonsensical posts
Friedman continues to churn the pen and rely on load management. Baseball Gods will have their way regardless of how clever Friedman thinks he is. BTW, Getting swept by Phils tells you how they stack up against quality teams.
Careful, you are about be called annoying for doubting The Friedman.
HS
“Getting swept by Phils tells you how they stack up against quality teams.”
Spoken as if by someone who doesn’t know baseball
Ok, I suppose this has to be explained to you. Dodgers are in a weak division. Don’t play many teams that are legit WS contenders. Phils considered by many to be strongest contender. At this point in the season they fell way short. They continue to demonstrate poor ave. w/ RISP, poor defense, and the bottom of their line up is awful. Now get it? Not difficult to understand for most.
HS
” I suppose this has to be explained to you.”
:massive eyeroll:
“Dodgers are in a weak division. Don’t play many teams that are legit WS contenders. Phils considered by many to be strongest contender. At this point in the season they fell way short. They continue to demonstrate poor ave. w/ RISP, poor defense, and the bottom of their line up is awful. ”
Please provide evidence instead of baseless speculation.
If you need to to explain to you what the difference is, let me know.
Having one of best regular season records in baseball hasn’t generated many postseason wins for the Dodgers.
I’m fine with the current strategy. Yeah, it’s frustrating to watch some of the arms coming out of that bullpen and ABs from lower part of the order.
But all that matters is the playoff roster which I’m sure will be much better than current one. You need some acquisitions, injured players returning, a few struggling players getting right and plenty of luck that key players don’t get hurt later in season.
As a Rays fan, that’s his and the Ray’s specialty… Truly a sick mindset of loading and burning and dumping.
As someone who equally hates both Philly and LA, why do you think any random three game series in July means anything more than a rough patch?
The Cubs just swept the Orioles in Baltimore. Are you now saying Chicago is better than the O’s?
@njbirdsfan, you seem to be a real proud hater about everything.
nibf
“why do you think any random three game series in July means anything more than a rough patch?”
Because they listen to idiots and no one thinks critically
The Dodgers have been a .500 team for two months now. Some of us have noticed and others not I guess.
Maybe the Dodgers have learned that with the MLB playoff tournament, excellence is not rewarded. Maybe they learned that one only need squeak into the playoffs and not need the best record. Maybe they learned that resting players and prepping for the playoff tournament is more important than the pursuit of the best record. Mediocrity is what MLB rewards in teams and getting lucky or hot during the playoffs.
Mediocrity seems to bring in more fans as more teams are “competitive”. When a few teams dominate and everyone else is out of it by the ASG, fans of the non-dominating teams lose interest. If there were only two divisions per league and only the division winners got into the playoffs, most team would not be seen as competitive right now and the casual fan in those non-competitive cities would probably lose interest. Excellence does not increase profits for the league as a whole, mediocrity does.
Actually, not — and if this is the lesson you believe the Dodgers have learned then it’s the wrong lesson. The playoffs are not the “crapshoot” so many seem to believe they are. I heard this so often I sat down and figured it out myself. Going back around 30 years I found that statistically one of the best four regular season teams win it around twice as often as all the rest of the postseason qualifiers. Better teams make for better chances. Excellence is actually rewarded. Isn’t this is just what you’d expect?
Also, I’ve been going to baseball games long enough to know that the quality of the team and the number of backsides in the seats are correlated. More fans equals higher ticket prices and more concession and merch sales. This is also just as you’d expect. So yes, the teams definitely want more fans in the seats.
And LA loses a game today they should have won. Giving away games Friedman not a good habit.
Hudler- the next time I see Friedman sitting on the bench in uniform, I will be inclined to agree with you. Until then, we have this guy named Roberts who gets paid to make in game decisions. Blame him!
fox471 Dave – the next time I see Roberts on the field during a play, I will be inclined to agree with you. Until then, there are these players on both the Dodgers and their opponents who get paid to compete.
CB.. Roberts gets paid to compete my friend. I have been a Dodger fan since 1953 and I have never seen a manager who floats above the fray like Roberts. There was no reason to bring Vanasco in. Vesia was cruising and did not pitch on Friday. This happens too frequently.
In no world is Vesia coming back to pitch another inning after throwing 21 pitches to complete an inning. They had a five run lead. If you truly believe that he would you are ignoring what has been the current landscape of baseball for some time.
Fox Dave
“I have been a Dodger fan since 1953”
Congrats on being old, I guess
No idea why old people here like to brag about that all the time, but ok.
“There was no reason to bring Vanasco in.”
Because it was a 5 run lead and Vanasco will convert that 90+ times out of 100
I hate dodger fans. I’m a dodger fan
Cb: actually, I wasn’t bragging about being old. I was, however, attempting to make a point about manager responsibility. I forgot (old age symptom) my audience (you) might be incapable of understanding context. I vow to do better. Sorry.
fox471 Dave
You’re the one who forgot context, not me
It was a 5 run lead. There was no reason to use a high-leverage arm (Vesia) in that situation.
People of all ages have a problem understanding that just because something didn’t work out correctly, that is wasn’t the right, or at least a reasonable, thing to do.
Relying on journeymen relievers is not a way to success. And if you think Roberts make these decisions without input from Friedman you are naive.
Next time I see a manager who makes up his own roster, and next time I see a manager whose job isn’t implementing the front office game plan, I will be inclined to agree with you. Basically this translates into not agreeing with you.
The odd thing was bringing in Vesia in the 8th with a five run lead. But I think Roberts wanted to secure the win to make sure Dodgers clinched the series. Possibly to rest some players and knowing a bullpen game was in the works for Sunday. When it was a five run lead with only one inning left he went with Vanasco. I have no issues with that. Phillips is the one who really blew the game. With a three run lead and inherited runner on second you don’t expect him to blow the game. After getting two quick outs he needed to get Carson but he missed on two sweepers before giving up a single on a fastball up. His cutter to Keith was not a bad pitch maybe could have been an inch more inside given his swing first pitch tendencies but that HR doesn’t leave Dodger Stadium and quite a few other MLB ballparks. It happens. Dodgers stole one night before then gave one up a day after. That’s baseball.
Hudler – Dodger have given away 3 games on this trip now.
Including today, in the last 4 games, they’ve had 7 hits with a RISP that did not produce a run. If any team is ready for a break (AllStar), it’s this club.
When Honeywell was with the Padres he showed he has major league talent and he still can bring it. This is not a bad flyer by the Dodgers and I think he will help them.
I agree. relief pitchers are mostly volatile, you never know. Sometimes, they shine in certain situations. Look at LA with Ramirez. With the exception of today, he’s been at his all-time best. If it doesn’t work out with Honeywell, it is no big loss. If it does, they’ve got another piece to help them hold it together until reinforcements come.
How many of these nobodies do you need to see before trying out another one starts to look like a bad idea?
I don’t have that answer. But with all the injuries to their roster, depth is paramount. What harm is there in giving him a shot? I
Losing baseball games? I mean, it was meant as a rhetorical question.
Shrutefarm: might have wanted to delay your post about Ramirez. He blew another game today in the ninth inning. He is now 0-5, with an almost 5.00 ERA.
As a rookie. That had a 3 for the first half with 33 games in the first half and 9 in the second. Where did he not excel at? Idk maybe the 9 games in the 2nd half sitting in the pen for 7-10 days without throwing. Padres burned that. There’s 3 scoreless when he’s been a closer all year lol. Maybe he stays and becomes a long inning guy when guys are healthy? Maybe he’s dfa’d. Regardless he will pitch the rest of the year somewhere that needs him.
MLBTR
“Honeywell excelled by the results in that limited showing with a 2.70 ERA in 3 1/3 frames, although he walked one more batter than he struck out in that cup of coffee”
Why on earth would I pay for “expert analysis” when this is what you offer.
Totally laughable.
Just love it when comments disappear. Do better MLBTR!
In a couple weeks, there better be trades and not waiver claims….
Trades can be made now. Several teams are already known sellers. Imagine how many teams passed on Honeywell before the Dodgers claimed him.
Dodgers getting all of their 2020 WS pitching opponents rounded up
Dodgers are hoping he doesn’t become Honeybaked.
The Dodgers just need to warm body with an arm to limp into the all-star break. They’re not banking on “unlocking talent.” They need help, just average help with all the pitchers they have on the IL.
Three shutout innings today. 0 walks and 2 K’s
Solid enough
Will he stay? Or one and done?