Dodgers make significant pitching roster changes
The Dodgers made a number of moves on Saturday after right-handed pitcher Kyle Hurt suffered a shoulder injury.
The Los Angeles Dodgers (18-11) are off to a strong start, leading the NL West by four games. However, as Los Angeles accumulates victories, it also accumulates pitchers on the injured list.
According to Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times, the club made a series of roster alterations on Saturday owing to a serious injury.
Nabil Crismatt has been called up. “Nick Ramirez was optioned,” Harris tweeted. “And Kyle Hurt was placed on the 60-day injury list. Six Dodgers pitchers are presently on the 60-day injured list.
Hurt’s injury is especially concerning for Los Angeles, as the right-hander has allowed only one run in 6.2 innings thrown this season. This was intended to be the Dodgers’ 2023 Minor League Pitcher of the Year’s first full season in the majors, but he now needs to recover from right shoulder discomfort. The earliest he may return is June 16th.
Ramirez was brought up when Hurt was placed on the 15-day injured list on April 20th. Hurt, who has been placed on the 60-day injured list, will be returned to Triple-A Oklahoma City for the second time this season. Ramirez has made the most of his limited opportunities with the Dodgers, surrendering only one run in seven innings.
However, this opens the door for Crismatt, who has been steady in both the majors and minors this season. When his stats from both levels are combined, the right-hander has fanned 18 batters while striking out 30.5% and walking none.
Will these acquisitions help Los Angeles secure a long-term pitching staff this season? Will there be more mayhem down the line?
Hurt, Brusdar Graterol, Emmet Sheehan, Clayton Kershaw, Tony Gonsolin, and Dustin May are all on the 60-day injured list. This means that a substantial percentage of their pitching staff will be unavailable until at least the summer, with the latter three being particularly well-known. Furthermore, this will lead to roster turmoil as the season unfolds.
As such guys return, fringe hurlers like Crismatt will face a strong danger of getting sent back down to the minors. The next two weeks will act as an audition for the 29-year-old, with minimal room for error. If he can establish himself as a diamond in the rough over time, it will be difficult for the organization to return him to Oklahoma City.
Crismatt did not appear in Saturday’s 4-2 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays, but he is expected to pitch in Sunday’s game. According to SB Nation, the Dodgers plan to rest veteran pitcher James Paxton by playing a bullpen game.
While Los Angeles has been able to win despite injuries on the mound, the team will need to heal up at that position if it wants to win its first World Series since the COVID-shortened 2020 season. There is still time, but the club cannot rely on a short-handed pitching staff in October.
