Bullpen resurgence was a group effort in June
Of all the things to go wrong in the Dodgers’ early quest to repeat as champions, the bullpen was perhaps the most confounding.
Five of their top eight relievers — Kenley Jansen, Blake Treinen, Joe Kelly, Victor Gonzalez, Brusdar Graterol — returned from last season. The next three
Today: Dodgers at Nationals, 4:05p.m., SNLA men up were veterans David Price, Jimmy Nelson and Corey Knebel, who combined to allow just three runs across 22 Cactus League innings. The bullpen projected to be a strength.
It took three months, and plenty of roster maneuvering, but the projections have
finally become a reality.
In the month of June, the Dodgers bullpen ranked among baseball’s top five in the major statistical categories: earned-run average (fifth), WHIP (fourth), opponents’ batting average (fifth) and Fielding Independent Pitching (third). Their strikeout rate was ninth; their walk rate ranked 10th.
The most telling number is 1: the combined number of home runs allowed in June by every active relief pitcher on the Dodgers roster. Right-hander Nate Jones allowed three before he was designated for assignment June 16. Andy Burns, a position player who pitched the ninth inning of a blowout loss, allowed another.
Who is responsible for the turnaround?
Much of the awe has been directed at closer Kenley Jansen. His cut fastball, which regularly dipped below 90 mph in April, averaged 94 mph on Tuesday night against the Giants. He has continued to increase the use of his two-seam fastball, his fastest pitch. Jansen’s best pitch is now his slider. He’s thrown 54 this season and has yet to allow a hit.
The veteran routinely faltered when pitching on short rest in April, prompting manager Dave Roberts to use a closer committee for a time. Since he squandered an extra-inning save opportunity on May 5, Jansen has
made 20 appearances and allowed a run in just one of them.
Booed at home early in the season, the 33-year-old received a standing ovation while locking down his 20th save Tuesday.
“It hurts me not being the best,” Jansen said. “It’s great to hear the crowd cheer.”
Jansen’s salary ($20 million this season alone) elicits higher expectations than his peers. But he isn’t the only reliever thriving of late.
Gonzalez, Kelly and Nelson each allowed just one earned run in June. Rookie left-hander Garrett Cleavinger allowed none. Phil Bickford, claimed off waivers from the Milwaukee Brewers in May, has thrived in a low-leverage role. His 16 strikeouts (in 11 2/3 innings) this month lead the staff.
The bullpen has yet to achieve full strength. Knebel is expected to return no sooner than late August because of a strained lat. Lefthander Scott Alexander is finishing up his shoulder rehab
at Triple-A Oklahoma City. The Dodgers might soon face the enviable problem of having more qualified relief pitchers than they have roster spots.
Also
The Dodgers claimed right-handed pitcher Bobby Wahl off waivers from the Brewers. Wahl has spent parts of three seasons in the majors, allowing 13 earned runs in 21 innings (a 7.63 ERA) for the A’s, Mets and Brewers. He has split this season between Double-A Biloxi and Triple-A Nashville, allowing 11 runs over 10 innings . ... Corey Seager was transferred to the 60-day injured list to make room for Wahl on the 40-man roster. The shortstop will not be eligible to be activated until July 15 . ... Two Dodgers minor leaguers, infielder Michael Busch and pitcher Andre Jackson, will participate in the annual Futures Game on July 11 in Denver. Busch and Jackson are currently on the roster of Double-A Tulsa.