When the 2025 Los Angeles Dodgers were described as a superteam entering spring training, the bullpen was supposed to be a cornerstone of that strength. The Dodgers, historically hesitant to spend big on relief pitching, flipped the script this offseason, splurging on marquee arms to shore up late-game performance. Free-agent left-hander Tanner Scott was signed for four years and $72 million, returning righty Blake Treinen for two years and $22 million, and Kirby Yates for one year and $17 million. Each had been among the best relievers in baseball the previous season.
Instead, the trio has become one of the team’s biggest liabilities. Scott, expected to anchor the closer role, now carries an 8.18 ERA since the All-Star break. Treinen, once a dependable late-inning option, has posted an 11.57 ERA in September alone. Yates has also struggled. Together, these three have allowed 21 of the Dodgers’ 43 earned runs since the start of the month. In every Dodgers loss since September 4, either Scott or Treinen was responsible for the decisive runs.
The most recent illustration came Tuesday in Arizona. After Shohei Ohtani delivered six scoreless innings, the Dodgers led the Diamondbacks 4-3. Scott was summoned to close the game, but the outcome mirrored previous bullpen failures: hit-by-pitch, walk, sacrifice bunt, sacrifice fly, and a walk-off single. It was, as one observer noted, “inevitable from the moment his slider hit Ildemaro Vargas.”
Depth Crisis: Injuries and Inexperience
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The Dodgers’ bullpen issues are compounded by a lack of reliable alternatives. Michael Kopech, a key contributor in the 2024 World Series run, is sidelined with knee inflammation. Brock Stewart has been on the injured list since mid-August with a shoulder issue. Brusdar Graterol has not pitched this season due to surgery, and Evan Phillips is recovering from Tommy John surgery. Rookie Edgardo Henriquez is the only other reliever with postseason experience, albeit limited.
Manager Dave Roberts acknowledged the dilemma, even suggesting Clayton Kershaw could see bullpen duty. “We’ve got to trust what we’re seeing, and not solely bet on the person or track record,” Roberts said regarding his decisions in high-leverage situations. Kershaw’s willingness to pitch out of the bullpen, despite an 18-year career mostly spent as a starter, underscores the depth crisis.
Other regular bullpen options like Alex Vesia and Anthony Banda are available but are considered low-leverage options at best. That leaves Roberts with a group of rookies, recently rehabbing arms, and veterans struggling with performance, highlighting just how precarious the Dodgers’ late-game pitching has become.
Roki Sasaki and Ohtani: Unconventional Solutions
Enter Rōki Sasaki. The 23-year-old right-hander has not pitched since May due to shoulder complications, but his recent Triple-A relief appearances have impressed the Dodgers. Roberts noted, “Velocity, strike-throwing, the split that gets swing-and-miss…he can do it, but it’s up to him to go out there and perform.” Sasaki’s fastball has touched 98 mph, and his splitter—a pitch scouts have long admired—remains effective, with batters hitting just .158 against it and missing 35% of the time. His potential postseason role could be as a bullpen arm, replacing underperforming veterans like Treinen.
Shohei Ohtani, meanwhile, is weighing his own flexibility. While he will start in the Wild Card series, he has discussed pitching in relief if needed, and potentially playing in the outfield afterward. “I want to be ready for anything, no matter what comes my way,” Ohtani said. Roberts described the idea as “commendable,” noting the unique challenges of moving Ohtani from starter to reliever while balancing his batting and fielding responsibilities.
Navigating October with a Patchwork Dodgers Bullpen
The Dodgers’ rotation will be critical to offset bullpen instability. Ohtani, Blake Snell, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Tyler Glasnow are expected to handle starting duties in the Wild Card series, leaving Kershaw and Emmet Sheehan to supplement innings out of the bullpen. “Clayton Kershaw did wander down to the Dodgers bullpen,” noted the Los Angeles Times’ Jack Harris. “He is lined up to make one more start…possible trial run to be a bullpen option in October.”
Even with starters going deeper, the Dodgers face a high-wire act. The postseason often demands unconventional strategies, including using starters in relief. The blend of rookies, rehabbing pitchers, and veterans struggling with confidence creates a scenario that could challenge even the most experienced managers.
Roberts has emphasized the importance of confidence in late-inning situations. Regarding Treinen, he said, “I still feel confident in him…we all need to see a couple good outings, but most importantly, I want to see his confidence up. And to be quite honest, I think right now he’s just not as confident in himself as I am in him.”
Stakes and Outlook
With six regular-season games remaining, the Dodgers are effectively testing late-season solutions while locking in postseason roster decisions. Sasaki, Kershaw, and Ohtani offer potential relief options, but all come with risk. The bullpen that was supposed to be a strength has become the team’s biggest concern heading into October.
Yet, even amid uncertainty, there is optimism. Ohtani’s strong recent starts, Sasaki’s rehab progress, and Kershaw’s willingness to adapt provide avenues to stabilize the pen. If the Dodgers can navigate these challenges, they remain capable of another deep postseason run—but October will be anything but routine.