Dodgers Bullpen Injuries Pile Up

The patch-work bullpen can only work for so long if the Dodgers plan on holding on to their division lead

The Dodgers have lost yet another reliever.

This time it’s left-hander Paco Rodriguez, who the team placed on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday with a Teres Major strain.

Carlos Baez has been called up from Triple-A Albuquerque to take Rodriguez’s spot on the roster.

Rodriguez was most recently called up to replace another lefty reliever, Paul Maholm, who the Dodgers transferred to the 60-day DL with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. Basically, Maholm's season is over.

The last 72 hours have been rough for the Dodgers who've placed Rodriguez, Maholm and righty reliever Chris Perez (right ankle bone spurs) on the DL the past three days.

As far as Maholm and Perez, it's not like they were setting the world on fire (combined 4.91 ERA in 110 innings), but it still doesn’t bode well for the Dodgers who decided to pass on adding bullpen help, especially a much needed southpaw, before the trade deadline.

Granted, they can still make a move through waivers but it’ll need to happen before manager Don Mattingly waves the white flag.

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“I’m sure Ned [Colletti] is scouring, he’s talking to people all the time to make sure we’re in the best position,” Mattingly says.

J.P. Howell is the only lefty Mattingly has at his disposal at this point in the pen. Thankfully, for the Dodgers, he’s been the most reliable reliever this season. Howell’s only surrendered five earned runs in 38 2/3 innings, and batters are hitting a measly .156 off of him. His workload is about to get real heavy.

Jamey Wright’s not a left-hander but he’s given Mattingly another stopper against left-handed hitters. The 18-year veteran has held lefty’s to a .167 avg and one extra-base hit.

Mattingly says he’s keeping the faith that the Dodgers can work with the arms they have, though he’s not the best at showing it.

“On the field level it’s about winning games, being ready to play, taking the team we have now and being ready to play,” he says.

Spoken like a man who would like some bullpen help.

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