Dodgers: Edwin Rios Left Off of NLDS Roster Due to Injury

When the Dodgers released their roster for the National League Division Series this afternoon, fans had some questions. Mainly, they wanted to know why the team had elected to hold Edwin Rios off of the roster given his power and homerun rate consistency.

It was later reported by Jorge Castillo of The LA Times that Rios had suffered an undisclosed injury while working out on Sunday. Castillo had also said that although Rios would be on the taxi squad, he would not be available for the entire Division Series. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts further confirmed that on Tuesday afternoon during his press conference. 

Dave Roberts says that Edwin Rios teaked his groin during the workouts, so he will not be used in this series.

Sounds like there is hope that he will be ready to go if the team should advance.

— Dodgers Nation (@DodgersNation) October 6, 2020

For the Dodgers, it’s a bit of a significant blow depending on how you look at it. The team had to go with Joc Pederson, Matt Beaty, and Gavin Lux as their main left-handed hitters off of the bench. It will also create a situation where Max Muncy will have to start essentially every game. Muncy has struggled through 2020 and has not yet shown signs of finding his groove. 

Rios was having a great year in a fairly limited role with the Dodgers. He filled in well while Justin Turner was out with a hamstring injury, and clubbed 8 home runs in 76 at-bats. Edwin had also shown that he can handle hitting left-handed pitching, putting up a .313 batting average in 16 at-bats.

Pederson gets the game 1 start at DH that Rios otherwise likely would have occupied. 

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