The Los Angeles Dodgers are preparing for a war with the Milwaukee Brewers, and some roster questions linger as they head into the NLCS.
After a four-game NLDS against the Atlanta Braves, the Dodgers can reassess their roster. Here are three things they will be contemplating before finalizing the roster.
Any room for an All-Star?
Justin Wrobleski had an amazing first half of the season and earned an All-Star nod, but his second half saw his starting-pitching exploits fade.
His transition to the bullpen did not go any better. Wrobleski was shut down with left forearm tightness, and when he returned, he moved into a relief role. In the last month of the season, he posted a 4.61 ERA in 13.2 innings across seven appearances.
Wrobleski made four postseason appearances last year and allowed no runs, but this bullpen is new, and he may not have a spot right now.
Barring an injury, Kris Bubic and possibly Brock Stewart could be replaced, but it is an uphill climb from Wrobo.
Will Hyeseong Kim/Josue De Paula hold on?
Both De Paula and Kim made the roster as high-upside specialists who could swing some games for the Dodgers if given the right chance.
However, they both saw limited action. Kim entered in the bottom of the ninth inning of Game 4 of the NLDS and played only defense.
Kim had no key pinch-running role during the series, and he did not get an at-bat.
De Paula, by contrast, had two pinch-hit appearances, going 0-for-1 with a pop-up on the last out in Game 2.
He returned in Game 4, drawing a walk with two runners on and two outs to load the bases for Andy Pages’ eventual game-winning two-run RBI.
He showed poise against reliever Didier Fuentes, who owned the Dodgers in Game 2, and it proved crucial.
Off the bench, De Paula is the Dodgers’ best pure hitter, making him hard to replace, but if the Dodgers want an extra pitcher for what may be a grueling series, one of these two may end up missing out.
A Miggy Ro replacement?
Miguel Rojas missed Game 4 of the NLDS with a lower-back injury after leaving Game 3 early. If the injury is still bothering him, the Dodgers will have a tough call.
In what may be his last season, will they put him on the IL? Rojas still hits well against lefties and has great infield defense, which would be key against the Brewers.
An IL stint could open a spot for another pitcher while keeping De Paula and Kim. Hyeseong Kim can slot in all over the field. However, they could also add Alex Call or Alex Freeland.
Call is a righty who hits well against lefties, and his presence would allow Edman or Kike Hernandez to move down to the infield.
They could also go infielder for infielder with Alex Freeland entering the mix. The good news is that the Dodgers have options, but it will be a tough decision no matter what they do.
