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LOS ANGELES – The Dodgers won 106 games in the 2021 regular season, but they’ve had to go through a lot of adversity along the way.
In May, Los Angeles lost right-hander Dustin May, who was starting to show why he was a former prospect, to the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery. The Dodgers have also lost Edwin Ríos, a good hitter on the bench, for the season after going for right shoulder surgery in May after a rocky start at home plate.
Right-hander Tony Gonsolin and outfielder Cody Bellinger each missed two months with injuries. And even after their return, the Dodgers didn’t appear to be in full health.
Shortstop Corey Seager was out for almost three months with a broken right hand. Southpaw Clayton Kershaw missed nearly three months with a left elbow injury. Outfielder AJ Pollock missed some time with recurring hamstring injuries. Bellinger and Gonsolin returned to IL. At one point, manager Dave Roberts didn’t want to talk about the possibility of having his full roster healthy for fear of hurting him.
But after months of dealing with a frustrating injury toll, the Dodgers were suddenly a healthy team heading into the final week of the regular season. They finally set up a five-man rotation after months of relieving games, and their offense was starting to kick in.
Over the weekend, however, everything changed again.
Kershaw is out for the remainder of the season after sustaining another left forearm and elbow injury in his last regular season start last Friday against the Brewers. Then on Sunday, first baseman Max Muncy injured his left elbow after colliding with Jace Peterson early on. Muncy is “highly unlikely” to play in Wednesday’s National League Wild Card Game. Its availability in the following rounds is also called into question.
Throughout the season, the Dodgers’ philosophy was to overcome injuries by using their depth. It has worked for them all year, but Muncy and Kershaw’s injuries create questions on the list that they will need to answer over the next few days.
Let’s take a look at the pending roster decisions for the Dodgers.
How do the Dodgers replace Muncy’s production?
Muncy’s injury is one that will immediately affect the Dodgers. The All-Star has been the team’s most consistent hitter this season. His ability to chart paths and work in depth has been a key part of their success. He also hit a career high of 36 home runs.
As for where the roster goes, that shouldn’t be too much of a problem for the Dodgers. They could choose to add another pitcher, or they could swap Muncy’s spot for another positional player who is currently in Triple-A. Zach McKinstry or Luke Raley could be options off the bench.
Filling Muncy’s place on the list shouldn’t be an impossible task. As for the starting lineup, this is where things get interesting.
The Dodgers could choose to go with Matt Beaty on first base. He gives them a left-handed strike option to make up for Muncy’s absence. Beaty hit two home runs over the weekend. But if the Dodgers decide Beaty’s best role is as a bottom hitter, they have other options.
Playing Bellinger early and keeping Chris Taylor or Gavin Lux in the middle of the pitch is a possibility. Bellinger has struggled at home this season, but he would be the team’s best defensive option. He also beats on the left side.
Because Cardinals right-handed starter Adam Wainwright even has divisions, the Dodgers could also go for a right-handed strike option. This is where Albert Pujols comes in.
Pujols is a much better hitter against lefties, and that’s his role since joining the Dodgers in May. But Los Angeles pitched Pujols against Wainwright in their last meeting with St. Louis on September 8, and he went 0 to 3.
Who replaces Kershaw?
Kershaw’s last regular-season start was on Friday, meaning he would have been fully rested ahead of Wednesday’s NL Wild Card game. While Kershaw was an out of the box option for this contest, his loss won’t really come through in the game against the Cardinals.
The Dodgers could choose to add another one-set reliever or positioner to fill Kershaw’s place on the 26-man roster. They could also add right-hander Andre Jackson or right-hander Mitch White in order to have some coverage. Southpaw David Price, who hasn’t been sharp lately, suddenly becomes a more realistic option.
Either of those options, however, would likely only be for emergencies, given the Dodgers expect a solid performance from right-hander Max Scherzer and the best options out of their box.
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