Dodgers News: GM Brandon Gomes Discusses What LA Saw in Ryan Yarbrough at Trade Deadline
As the Los Angeles Dodgers season has gone on, the early season pitching issues have started to stabilize themselves a bit. While the staff isn’t exactly where the team would like it to be, things have eased up quite a bit.
It was rough for a minute between May and July, but since the trade deadline, the team has seen brighter days. LA didn’t make any major splashes at the trade deadline, but they did bring in some quality guys who just needed a change of scenery to make a difference.
One of those guys is left-handed reliever Ryan Yarbrough from the Kansas City Royals. He was acquired toward the last seconds of the deadline, but since his arrival, he has made an impact.
With the Royals, he held an ERA of 4.24 in 14 games. Through six games with the Dodgers, he has an incredible ERA of 1.86 with a 3-0 record, two holds and two saves.
It has been great to see the veteran reliever perform at a high level, and he has eased their minds a bit out of the pen. He provides them with a solid left-handed option and long reliever to use going forward, something manager Dave Roberts loves to use.
Recently, General Manager Brandon Gomes opened up to J.P. Hoornstra of The Orange County Register about the decision to trade for Yarbrough and spoke on his competitiveness on the mound.
“It was like, ‘Look this guy put up really good numbers and his ability to flood the zone with multiple pitches’ – we could then work later on execution, stability with our game planning,” Gomes said. “The compete on this guy is through the roof. Everybody in Tampa and Kansas City was saying, ‘It’s just the ultimate competitor.’ He wants to win and he puts a huge emphasis on that, wants to be the best he can be.”
Per The OC Register
Ironically, Yarbrough was on the Tampa Bay Rays’ roster when the Dodgers faced them in the 2020 World Series. So, he brings needed postseason experience to the table, as well (he has a 3.06 ERA in 17.2 career postseason innings).
Gomes also pointed out that a lot of the struggles that Yarbrough saw in Kansas City were prior to an injury he suffered in May. Once he got back, his numbers were very solid.
“Gomes was quick to note Yarbrough’s numbers in Kansas City after he returned from a grisly injury, a line drive that struck him in the face during a May 7 game against the Oakland A’s: 5-1 with a 1.95 ERA and one save in eight games (four starts).”
Per J.P. Hoornstra of The OC Register
It was a minor move that at least so far, has turned into strong results. Yarbrough is going to need to continue this level of production down the stretch, and if he can, he will see plenty of time in the playoffs.
Photo Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
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