The Los Angeles Dodgers are holding a workout on Monday ahead of their Wild Card series against the Cincinnati Reds.
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Right-handed pitchers Ben Casparius and Kyle Hurt as well as outfielders Esteury Ruiz and Justin Dean are at Dodger Stadium on Monday with the team
Casparius and Hurt both figure to be options for the Dodgers in the bullpen, while one of Ruiz or Dean could factor into the team’s plans as a defensive replacement and pinch-runner off the bench.
Kyle Hurt Breakdown
Hurt, 27, hasn’t pitched at the big league level this season after undergoing Tommy John surgery last year. He made seven relief appearances for Triple-A Oklahoma City on his rehab assignment, allowing just two runs across 9.1 innings for a 1.03 ERA with 10 strikeouts.
At the major league level last season, Hurt made three appearances (one start), allowing one earned across 6.2 innings for a 1.35 ERA.
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While he didn’t have enough time to get an opportunity in the majors this season, he’s clearly healthy and could be a weapon in October, especially considering the lack of experience opposing hitters have against him.
Ben Casparius Breakdown
Casparius played a key role for the Dodgers this season, making 46 appearances, three of them being starts. He also finished six games, earning two saves.
Overall, Casparius had a 4.64 ERA, and was optioned earlier this month. The Dodgers wanted him to not only get a little break, but also work on getting right-handed hitters out.
The Dodgers have a need for right-handed relievers on the postseason roster, so there’s a good chance he factors into their plans.
Esteury Ruiz and Justin Dean Breakdown
It makes sense to put these players together, as only one of them would get a roster spot (if either of them even earn one).
Ruiz and Dean are both plus runners and defenders, which teams like to have on the bench in the postseason.
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Neither of them hit very well for LA this season, as Ruiz went 4-for-21 (.190) and Dean went 0-for-2, mainly getting opportunities on defense and as a pinch runner.
Nevertheless, LA could look to add some speed to the end of the bench in the form of either of these players.
Photo Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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2 Responses
IMO, Casparius should be the only one out of these players to make the roster.
Agreed…