A Third Dodgers Reliever Won’t Be Ready for Opening Day Due to Injury
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts revealed Tuesday that a third reliever will not be ready for Opening Day.
Right-handed pitcher Michael Grove will not be ready for Opening Day as he’s a month behind schedule in his throwing program due to a shoulder injury he dealt with at the end of last season.
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Grove joins right-handed relievers Evan Phillips and Michael Kopech as pitchers not expected to be ready for Opening Day.
Grove, 28, made 39 appearances (two starts) last year, sporting a 5.12 ERA with 54 strikeouts over 51 innings. Over the course of his three-year career, he’s made 64 appearances (20 starts), and has accrued a 5.48 ERA.
With Kopech and Phillips out to start the year, Grove would have been a candidate to open the season with the big league roster. However, now the Dodgers will have a healthy competition for the final few roster spots in the bullpen.
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The obvious candidates to open the season in the bullpen include left-handed pitchers Tanner Scott, Alex Vesia, and Anthony Banda as well as right-handed pitchers Kirby Yates and Blake Treinen.
Then, there will be a competition for the final three spots which could include the loser of the No. 5 starter spot (whether it be Tony Gonsolin or Dustin May), Landon Knack, Edgardo Henriquez, and Ben Casparius, as well as non-roster invites such as Luis Garcia and Giovanny Gallegos.
Photo Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
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