The Riverside Press-Enterprise
Deep bullpen providing good early-season results
SAN DIEGO » There has been strength in numbers for the Dodgers’ bullpen so far this season.
“It’s the deepest bullpen we’ve had since I’ve been here,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said before Saturday’s game. “Top to bottom we have a lot of good arms.”
And they knew they would need them this month with starting pitchers not fully stretched out, coming out of a shortened spring training.
The Dodgers opted to carry 16 pitchers for most of this month with rosters expanded to 28. Through the first 13 games, their relievers — including Tyler Anderson, a starting pitcher who pitched in a “piggyback” role twice before joining the rotation Saturday — combined for a 2.25 ERA (third-best in the majors) while holding hitters to a .182 average (the lowest in baseball) and posting an 0.82 WHIP (also the lowest in baseball).
“I’m not (surprised),” Roberts said of the earlyseason performance. “I can’t really speak to my expectations on sheer numbers. But as far as the guys being all-in, being ready when called upon, it’s our job to put them in the right spots where we feel that they can get outs. And they’ve all ... answered the bell and been fantastic.”
When it comes to bullpens, it has been safe to expect the unexpected.
Brusdar Graterol and Victor Gonzalez were unknown commodities when the 2020 season started but finished the postseason run as key components of the bullpen. Last season,
Alex Vesia and Phil Bickford (not even in the Dodgers’ system to start the season) emerged as the year progressed and became reliable options for Roberts.
An early candidate to make a similar rise this season is right-hander Evan Phillips. Claimed on waivers from the Tampa Bay Rays last August, Phillips made seven appearances down the stretch, largely in low-leverage situations. This season, Roberts has turned to him in more important situations and Phillips has responded, allowing just two hits while striking out seven in his first 6-1/3 innings.
“Last year, the main thing that impressed me with Evan is his head,” Roberts said. “He’s got a great head. He’s got a good pulse. He’s a strike-thrower and he’s got an elite slider. This year, I didn’t expect to see 98 (mph) come out of his arm. Ninety-eight certainly helps. It keeps hitters honest with the slider, with the fastball. But I like him, man. He’s a pro.”
Phillips has touched 98 mph but his fastball is still averaging 95.3 mph, right on his career average. But hitters are putting it in play less frequently.
“He’s shown us a lot,” said Roberts, who listed Phillips as someone he would turn to in more crucial situations with Blake Treinen on the injured list. “I think the leverage is certainly going to expand. And (pitching in) leverage is not just stuff. Leverage is the head and the pulse. And so he’s shown that when we do put him in those spots, he still has the ability to make pitches.”
Men of steal
The Dodgers had 13 stolen bases (in 14 attempts) through their first 13 games, leading the major leagues in that category through Friday.
It warms the heart of their manager, who stole 243 bases during his 10year big-league career.
“I’m proud of it,” he said with a smile. “But I don’t think that’s going to hold for very long.”
Roberts said the earlyseason thievery is not the result of a change in offensive philosophy, just smart base running combined with opportunity.
“It’s certainly not a point of emphasis,” he said. “I think it’s opportunities that we’re given and our guys being proactive . ... If you have a chance to steal a base and take 90 feet we’ll do that.”
Nunez out
Triple-a left-hander Darien Nunez suffered an elbow injury and will undergo Tommy John surgery, ending his 2022 season. Nunez, 29, made three appearances for Triple-a Oklahoma City this season, allowing four runs in 4-2/3 innings.
Nunez was one of the franchise-record 39 pitchers who appeared in games for the Dodgers in 2021 (including position players Justin Turner and Andy Burns). He had an 8.22 ERA over six appearances and remained on the Dodgers’ 40-man roster this season. The Dodgers will be able to add a player to the 40-man in Nunez’s spot now
Also
Today’s starter Clayton Kershaw has struck out 20 batters over 12 innings in his first two starts this season, bringing him to the verge of a franchise record. Kershaw’s 2,690.