Friday, February 9, 2024
Copyrighted by Sarah Morris, 2024
Friday was the first day of workouts for the Los Angeles Dodger pitchers and catchers. Today, Blake Treinen threw a bullpen session and was impressed.
Clayton Kershaw’s contract became official, and the Dodgers placed Tony Gonsolin on the 60-day IL (Injury List). Last August, after pitching with an injury that made him ineffective, Gonsolin underwent Tommy John surgery and is not expected to pitch in the 2024 season. Since Kershaw underwent complex shoulder surgery in November, he can’t pitch until July at the earliest. When the Dodgers need another roster spot, they will put Kershaw on the 60-day IL.
Before his shoulder injury, Treinen was one of the best right-handed relievers in the major leagues. In 2022, Treinen tried to avoid shoulder surgery by undergoing Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) and pitched in four games where he didn’t perform well. In November 2022, he underwent shoulder reconstruction surgery and tried to come back in the 2023 season but failed. His shoulder didn’t bounce back satisfactorily during his rehabilitation assignment.
If Treinen can return and be effective, the Dodger bullpen would be better. The Dodger bullpen is already one of the elite bullpens in the major leagues.
Dr. Neal ElAttrache cleared Gavin Lux for all baseball activities. During early last spring training, Lux tore both ACL and MCL and missed all of the 2023 season.
The Dodgers slated Lux to be their shortstop. He needs to develop communication with second baseman Mookie Betts. He must cover for Max Muncy, a below-average third baseman. Offensively, if Lux can hit about .275, he will be fine.
Both Walker Buehler and Yoshinobu Yamamoto threw their first bullpen. Buehler threw 35 pitches. While Buehler is healthy after his second Tommy John surgery in August 2022, the Dodgers plan to delay his beginning of the 2024 season until May since they want them to pitch in the postseason. Buehler will have an inning limit.
Since Yamamoto signed a massive contract, everyone assumes he will be the ace of the Dodger starting rotation even though he hasn’t thrown a pitch in the American major leagues. He has unique training methods, including throwing a javelin. He must adapt to a five-man starting rotation whereas Japan has a six-man.
Most Dodger fans think Yamamoto will start on Opening Day in South Korea in the middle of March.
