In the midst of a five-game losing streak, the Los Angeles Dodgers are turning to a flurry of roster moves to try and steady the ship before the All-Star break. On Wednesday, the club reinstated right-hander Tyler Glasnow from the 60-day injured list, optioned reliever Alexis Díaz to Triple-A Oklahoma City, and transferred Michael Kopech to the 60-day IL—an unexpected and troubling development given the initial outlook on his knee injury.
Dodgers Shuffle Roster Amid Five-Game Skid, Injury Concerns
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Manager Dave Roberts previously downplayed the severity of Kopech’s right knee inflammation, calling it “on the shorter end” of the injury spectrum. That optimism has since faded, as the IL transfer means Kopech won’t be eligible to return until late August. It’s a tough blow for both the pitcher and a Dodgers bullpen already reeling from absences, including Evan Phillips, Blake Treinen, Brusdar Graterol, and Michael Grove. With Phillips and Grove out for the season due to surgeries, the urgency for reinforcements at the trade deadline grows stronger by the day.
Kopech, who had turned a corner after moving to the bullpen following his trade from the White Sox, was putting together a strong case for a comeback. In 24 innings with the Dodgers, he posted a 1.13 ERA and a 33% strikeout rate—key contributions during last year’s championship run. However, this latest setback adds to a concerning injury history that could limit his free agent value this winter.
Dodgers Make Trade With Brewers Before Milwaukee Finale
To add further complexity to the roster shuffle, the Dodgers also traded outfielder Steward Berroa—who had been designated for assignment—to the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for cash considerations. Berroa, a speedster known for his defensive versatility, had been hitting .330 at Triple-A but was squeezed out of the crowded outfield picture in Los Angeles. The Brewers immediately placed him on the minor league IL with right shoulder bursitis.
Meanwhile, Alexis Díaz’s brief stint with the Dodgers comes to a pause, at least for now. Called up just one day prior, Díaz was sent back to Triple-A after Glasnow’s activation. Once a dominant closer for the Reds, Díaz has struggled with command and consistency in recent seasons. Manager Dave Roberts noted, “There’s been some good, some not so good… the consistency of strike-throwing is what we haven’t seen yet.”
Glasnow’s return provides a much-needed boost to a rotation that’s been ravaged by injuries. Still, with a long list of unavailable arms and an offense that’s cooled, the Dodgers will need more than a few roster tweaks to reverse their recent slide.