Dodgers pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report for spring training on Monday. As we count down the days until camp begins, we are going through the various position groups to give a breakdown of where the roster stands. Today, we conclude with a look at the bullpen. Previously, the outfielders, the infielders, the starting rotation and the catchers.
2024 RECAP
The Dodgers would not have won their 2024 World Series championship without the performance of their bullpen. Due to the injuries that ravaged their starting pitching, the Dodgers leaned heavily on their relief corps throughout the season. Only four teams asked their relievers to cover more innings than the Dodgers (648). Blake Treinen (1.93 ERA) and Alex Vesia (1.76 ERA) were the most reliable, but 14 different pitchers recorded at least one save. That was during the regular season. In October, the relievers stepped up even more. During the Dodgers’ postseason run, relievers pitched 86⅓ innings, their three starting pitchers (Jack Flaherty, Walker Buehler and Yoshinobu Yamamoto) combined for 55⅔. Nothing was more indicative of the importance of the Dodgers’ bullpen than Game 4 of the National League Division Series against the San Diego Padres. Facing elimination, eight relievers combined to shut out the Padres in a bullpen game, part of a postseason record-tying stretch of 33 consecutive scoreless innings by Dodgers pitchers.
HOW IT LOOKS RIGHT NOW
It might be even better. To a core that includes Treinen (signed to a contract extension), Evan Phillips, Alex Vesia and Michael Kopech, the Dodgers added the two best relievers on the free-agent market this winter – left-hander Tanner Scott and right-hander Kirby Yates. Over the past two seasons, Scott held batters to a .186 average and struck out 188 in 150 innings. Among relievers with at least 50 innings last season, only Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase had a lower ERA than Yates (1.17), who converted 33 of 34 save chances for the Texas Rangers. The Dodgers will have four players who have had 20-save seasons in their 2025 bullpen – Phillips, Treinen, Yates and Scott – and they are likely to spread the closing duties around. Some health issues do follow the group into spring training. Phillips missed the World Series with a sore shoulder. Kopech has had forearm issues.
THE NEXT LAYER
Thirty-eight pitchers took the mound for the Dodgers at one time or another last season – plus position players Miguel Rojas and Kiké Hernandez. As strong as the bullpen seems to be heading into spring training, there will be the usual shuttle operating between Los Angeles and Triple-A Oklahoma City. Among the top candidates to make their way into the Dodgers’ bullpen are Giovanny Gallegos (an experienced veteran who spent time as the St. Louis Cardinals closer) and fellow non-roster invitees Julian Fernandez (a hard-throwing former Colorado Rockie) and lefty Jose Hernandez (a former Dodgers prospect returned to the organization), perennials Michael Grove and Brusdar Graterol, who underwent shoulder surgery in November and could return at some point late in 2025.
MOVES THEY COULD MAKE
The Dodgers’ front office is never done tinkering with its roster – particularly the bullpen. A year ago, they acquired well-traveled left-hander Anthony Banda for cash in May. Banda became a key member of the bullpen. And Kopech was added at the trade deadline.
