LOS ANGELES — Ben Casparius is asking for no favors, while letting it be known that he is willing to provide as many that are needed.
The long man in the Dodgers’ bullpen is close to graduating from the role with a spot in the starting rotation, at least temporarily, a distinct possibility.
Asked for the rotation plans during the Dodgers’ upcoming 10-game road trip to Atlanta, Miami and Arizona, Manager Dave Roberts said: “There might be a bullpen game in there.” Then he paused.
“I’m not sure about that,” Roberts added.
The Dodgers leave nothing to chance, with Roberts’ answer a possible hint that labeling the next open day in the rotation might be the hard part.
Casparius might be lined up for what could best be considered a hybrid opener/starter role. If anybody has earned a chance to take the ball at the outset and ride out the outing as long as possible, it is Casparius, who has been a jack of all trades since late last summer.
A member of the rotation in the minor leagues, Casparius made 19 starts with Triple-A Oklahoma City and Double-A Tulsa last season. He made his major-league debut Aug. 30 with a scoreless inning, went back to the minors and came up during the last week of the regular season as a long man.
With the team’s starting options limited, Casparius was added to the playoff roster for the National League Championship Series. He delivered 6⅓ innings in the playoffs to the tune of a 1.42 ERA and even had a two-inning outing in the World Series.
His long relief ways have continued this season, culminating with 3⅔ scoreless innings of emergency relief Sunday on 54 pitches against the Pittsburgh Pirates when Tyler Glasnow left early with shoulder tendinitis.
A chance to start could be coming soon, although Casparius said he has not been told if it will be happening.
“I’m kind of getting towards that threshold of getting to, like the 60-, 70- pitch mark,” Casparius said. “I think just being flexible in that role, and whether (the next outing) is a bullpen day, where I’m doing the bulk of that, or whatever it might be, just be available. Whether it’s two or three innings twice a week, or actually getting a start day, as of right now, I don’t know anything.”
Casparius knows the upcoming 10 games will not include an off day, which means he will most definitely play a crucial role at some point.
Casparius did get his first career start on the last road trip against the Chicago Cubs in what was termed a bullpen game and went 2⅔ innings on 40 pitches while not allowing a run. He has not been scored upon in any of his last three outings (7⅓ innings) and has a 0.82 ERA over his last 10⅓ innings.
Casparius likened last season’s head-spinning chance to learn how to become a relief pitcher on baseball’s biggest stage as akin to “running around like a chicken with my head cut off.” Now, he has become an important piece on team defending its championship.
“I think it’ll shape the rest of my career,” he said. “I think I learned a lot in a short period of time. I got to see how some of the best players in the world prepare for the biggest games of the season. Now, it feels almost normal, or at least I’m a little more comfortable around everybody with my routine and what they ask of me.”
DESERT DEALING
Right-hander Michael Kopech will take another step toward his 2025 debut when he heads to the team’s spring training complex in Glendale, Arizona, this weekend. Kopech is set to face live hitters as he works his way back from a forearm strain.
Having already progressed from flat-ground work and bullpen sessions, Kopech is closing in on his first appearance since the deciding Game 5 of the World Series, when he delivered a scoreless fourth inning.
There is no set date for his return
Kopech made 10 appearances in the postseason and had a 3.00 ERA, all while pitching through arm discomfort. Acquired from the Chicago White Sox at last year’s trade deadline, Kopech went 4-0 with a 1.13 ERA in 24 regular-season appearances with the Dodgers.
ALSO
The Dodgers rescheduled Clayton Kershaw’s rehab start for Wednesday night at Triple-A Oklahoma City after it was postponed because of weather Tuesday. Kershaw was scheduled to go five innings and/or 75 pitches, according to Roberts. …
Glasnow, who went on the injured list Monday, will not travel with the team on the upcoming road trip and will have 10-14 days off from throwing, Roberts said.
UP NEXT
After an off day Thursday, it will be Dodgers (RHP Yoshinobu Yamamoto, 3-2, 1.06 ERA) at Braves (RHP Grant Holmes, 2-1, 4.50 ERA), Friday, 4:15 p.m. PT, SportsNet LA, 570 AM
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