LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers took immediate advantage of expanded rosters in the hope they can fatten up a stagnant offense.
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Catcher Will Smith and second baseman Alex Freeland were among the roster additions on Tuesday, with both in the starting lineup in the opener of a three-game series against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Left-hander Justin Wrobleski and catcher Dalton Rushing also were activated to the inflated 28-man group, while center fielder Alek Thomas was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City and catcher Ben Rortvedt was designated for assignment.
Smith offers the most potential for increased offense for a group that has struggled to score runs at an expected pace over the past two months. But the three-time All-Star will only be playing every other day as he works his way back into action.
“Will, it’s good to get him back, certainly,” Manager Dave Roberts said of the veteran, who is well versed in handling the pitching staff and was batting .249 with six home runs and 23 RBIs in 52 games when he went on the injured list in early June with neck inflammation. “… He’ll catch twice against the Cardinals and we’ll sort of go from there.”
While Smith was inserted into the No. 5 spot in the lineup, Freeland was in the No. 9 spot and playing second base. Tommy Edman was moved to center field, while batting seventh, as Thomas was sent out and Andy Pages (hand) remains on the injured list.
“We like Alex; good defender, he’s performing fine and I think it was just more familiarity,” Roberts said. “He knows what it’s like to be here. Obviously the season’s not over, so there are (more roster changes) that could happen. We felt good about this one.”
Freeland was batting .231 with three home runs and 19 RBIs in 72 games before he was optioned back to Triple-A in July when Kiké Hernandez was activated from the injured list.
Wrobleski is expected to be used out of the bullpen moving forward. Before going on the IL, the first-time All-Star this season was 0-3 with an 8.69 ERA over his past four starts. He is 11-5 with a 3.56 ERA in 21 appearances (20 starts) overall this season.
DECISION DAY
The time is getting near to decide if Shohei Ohtani will be able to return as a pitcher this season. The two-way star was last on the mound in a game on July 7 before left knee soreness limited him to hitting duties only.
“Nothing’s going to happen until potentially Sunday, but I do think that there’s going to be a conversation that needs to be had this week about what the outlook is, and we haven’t had it yet,” Roberts said.
Even if Ohtani was able to return to the mound on Sunday for a one-inning start, then added an inning every week in each successive trip to the mound, the four-time league MVP would only progress to four innings by the final day of the regular season.
The Dodgers hoped Ohtani could progress to five innings by the time the playoffs arrived, but his first start of five innings wouldn’t be until the playoffs, assuming there are no setbacks.
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The Dodgers intend to remain in a six-man rotation whether Ohtani can start by Sunday or not. If he can’t pitch, Roberts conceded that Wrobleski would not start and that it would be somebody from the minor leagues. Emmet Sheehan or Gavin Stone would be candidates to join the roster.
GETTING IN GEAR
Smith and Hunter Feduccia will share time at catcher, although Rushing has not given up hope that he can return to playing defense despite the partial tear of his right UCL that landed him on the injured list one month ago.
“I am throwing. (It) feels good, feels normal,” Rushing said. “We’re progressing. We’re taking the safe route day by day. And luckily, there’s no hiccups on the road right now. But yeah, I’m looking forward to obviously being able to help the team on that side too.”
Rushing sounded optimistic he could be behind the plate before the end of the regular season, but Roberts was taking a more cautious approach.
“I’m not quite there yet on being totally bullish on him getting back (behind the plate),” Roberts said. “… I like where his head is at, though. He’s working hard to get there. The controlled rehab is different than a snap throw, throwing a guy out (stealing) second base.”
The first step is to see how Rushing handles the pinch-hit role.
“He hasn’t done this much at all,” Roberts admitted. “I think he’s a threat to hit the ball out of the ballpark. He can take a walk. I think there’s something to that threat.”
BULLPEN PROGRESS
Right-hander Blake Treinen, who has not pitched since June 19 because of elbow inflammation, is expected to return “very soon,” according to Roberts.
A key contributor to the Dodgers’ three World Series titles over six seasons, Treinen has 12 saves and a 2.84 ERA over 215 appearances in a Dodgers uniform since 2020.
Right-hander Edwin Diaz, who is on the injured list with neck inflammation, threw a live batting practice on Monday and is expected to have another one later this week before going out on a minor league rehab assignment.
Right-hander Ben Casparius (shoulder) had a setback during his rehab, putting the remainder of his season in jeopardy.
UP NEXT
Cardinals (bullpen game, starter TBD) at Dodgers (RHP Yoshinobu Yamamoto, 12-8, 2.56 ERA), Wednesday, 7:10 p.m., SportsNet LA, 570 AM, 1020 AM
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