The Dodgers positioned left-hander Anthony Banda on the 15-day injured record with a damaged hand yesterday — a shocking transfer provided that there was no prior indication of an damage situation that’d been plaguing the southpaw. Because it seems, Banda’s damage was self-inflicted. Supervisor Dave Roberts confirmed to the Dodgers beat final evening that the lefty sustained a hairline fracture after he hit “a strong object” out of frustration following a tough outing whereby he yielded a pair of runs on three hits in a single inning of labor throughout a loss to the Cubs (video hyperlink through Dodgers Nation’s Doug McKain). Banda is hardly the primary participant to injure himself in such a way, however that certainly doesn’t make the state of affairs any much less irritating for the Dodgers and their followers.
That’s notably true provided that whereas the 31-year-old Banda is a journeyman who joined the Dodgers in a minor league commerce with the Guardians (in trade for money), he’s turn out to be an vital piece of the staff’s aid corps. In 47 1/3 innings this 12 months, the previous high prospect has notched a career-low 3.23 earned run common with a 24.8% strikeout price (one other career-best mark) towards an 8.9% stroll price that’s proper in keeping with the 9% league common amongst relievers.
Banda initially labored in low-leverage conditions after being chosen to the 40-man roster in L.A., however he’s earned extra belief from Roberts because the season has worn on. He’s picked up 9 holds and a pair of saves, practically all of which have come within the season’s second half. Michael Kopech has emerged because the Dodgers’ highest-leverage arm since being acquired on the commerce deadline, however Banda ranks second on the staff in holds because the All-Star break.
The Dodgers can nonetheless management Banda through arbitration for an additional three seasons in the event that they select, so the damage doesn’t essentially spell the top of his time with the staff. It could not even spell the top of his season. Roberts mentioned that for now, the plan is for a number of days with out throwing, however the skipper didn’t rule out the likelihood that Banda could possibly be constructed again up in time to rejoin the staff sooner or later. Clearly, if the Dodgers go on a deep postseason run, Banda’s possibilities of contributing once more this season will solely enhance.
There are additionally questions on one other bullpen possibility’s capability to contribute this 12 months, although they’ve been effectively documented and don’t come as an enormous shock. Proper-hander Tony Gonsolin underwent Tommy John surgical procedure late final August, which at all times made him a protracted shot to contribute this season. The Dodgers nonetheless haven’t firmly closed the door on the potential for Gonsolin returning, however it more and more appears to be like like a protracted shot. Roberts, who left the door open for a possible bullpen function for Gonsolin when requested concerning the risk final month, informed reporters yesterday that it’s “unlikely” Gonsolin will contribute this season (hyperlink through Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic).
Basic supervisor Brandon Gomes wouldn’t make a agency declaration, saying Gonsolin’s 2024 standing is “TBD” whereas concurrently acknowledging that the first focus at this level is “constructing a basis” for subsequent season (X thread through Invoice Plunkett of the Orange County Register). That definitely doesn’t sound like a portent for a 2024 return, however Gomes didn’t expressly rule out the likelihood, suggesting that if “issues line up” they might “have a dialog” about Gonsolin returning.
Whereas issues are up within the air concerning Gonsolin’s standing, it appears the Dodgers are more and more optimistic that high starter Tyler Glasnow will return in time for the playoffs. Presently on the injured record with tendinitis in his proper elbow, Glasnow threw his full complement of pitches yesterday in his second bullpen session in per week’s time, per Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Occasions. He’ll throw a simulated recreation on Friday and transfer to a rehab project if that goes effectively. By way of Harris, Roberts mentioned that he favored what he noticed in Glasnow’s bullpen session and referred to as it a “precedence” to get him again into an enormous league recreation earlier than the common season attracts to a detailed.
If the Dodgers are capable of get Glasnow again, they might theoretically head into the playoffs with a rotation together with Glasnow, Jack Flaherty and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who regarded glorious in his personal return from the injured record this week.
