Dodgers’ Michael Grove (27.00 ERA) is Struggling Out of the Gate
It’s common for pitchers who can’t parlay their success as minor league starters to transition to the bullpen in the majors. But for every Mariano Rivera, who fell out of the New York Yankees’ rotation in 1995 before saving a major-league record 652 games, there are many more examples of failed starters becoming failed relievers.
Dodgers pitcher Michael Grove is hoping he doesn’t fall into the latter category.
Grove’s 2024 season isn’t off to an ideal start. The right-handed pitcher has made two appearances out of the Dodgers’ bullpen and allowed seven runs across three innings — a 21.00 earned-run average.
This is the first time Grove has entered a season as a full-time reliever after primarily starting in college (2016-17 at West Virginia) and the professional ranks (2019-23). In an interview with Dodgers Nation, Grove talked about the adjustments he’s making this season.
One of the biggest has been in the weight room.
“As a starter, you pitch, then the next two days are pretty open. You just crush a couple big lifts. As a reliever, a guy who could pitch any night, it’s trying to get in a smaller lift, try to get three or four of those a week instead of just two. Try to piece them together based on the schedule.”
— Dodgers pitcher Michael Grove
Perhaps not coincidentally, Grove’s locker this year sits directly next to Ryan Yarbrough, a pitcher who’s made a similar adjustment in his career. From 2015-17 Yarbrough appeared in 73 games, all as a starter, across five minor league levels.
Since he debuted with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2018, Yarbrough has been a hybrid starter/reliever/”bulk guy who pitches in relief of an opener” — the antithesis of a predictable routine.
“He’s been doing this for years now. Talking to him, seeing how he manages it. I have great support system here. We’ll figure it out for sure.”
— Dodgers pitcher Michael Grove on teammate Ryan Yarbrough
The problem hasn’t been one of velocity. All of Grove’s pitches, including his signature slider, have seen the expected uptick in speed that accompanies a move to pitching in shorter bursts. Location has been more of an issue. Friday, the Cardinals loaded the bases in the eighth inning on a soft single, a hit batter, and a hard-earned walk by Paul Goldschmidt. Ryan Brasier relieved Grove and allowed all three inherited runners to score.
Grove’s 27.00 ERA won’t last. He’s hoping his time in the Dodgers’ bullpen does.
Photo Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports
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