Right-handed pitcher Matt Sauer has joined the Los Angeles Dodgers in Miami, according to The Athletic’s Fabian Ardaya — a move that likely signals another injury within the team’s overworked pitching staff.
Because Sauer was optioned less than 15 days ago, he cannot be officially recalled unless a player is placed on the injured list. His presence with the team suggests that such a transaction is imminent.
Los Angeles Dodgers Pitching Woes Not Sustainable
The Dodgers are currently enduring a grueling stretch of 10 games in 10 days, and their bullpen has already shouldered a heavy workload. On Monday, manager Dave Roberts deployed seven pitchers, including Ben Casparius, who covered the bulk of the innings with four. A day later, six more pitchers were used following a five-inning outing from starter Tony Gonsolin.
Wednesday’s game was scheduled as a bullpen day, but the team preemptively called up right-hander Landon Knack to absorb the bulk of innings. If Sauer is indeed activated, he would be positioned to piggyback off Knack, helping preserve the bullpen ahead of a four-game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks starting Thursday.
Sauer last pitched on April 29 — a dominant five-inning, scoreless performance against the same Marlins team. With that outing fresh, he would be fully rested and ready to contribute length once again.
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Dodgers manager Dave Roberts addressed the mounting strain on his relievers following Tuesday’s game.
“It just seems like certain guys – and I could go back on each starter – but you’re still trying to manage their health and … [be] mindful of the innings that the bullpen is taking on and trying to stagger as much as you can, and manage leverage and all that stuff,” Roberts said.
The Dodgers currently lead MLB in bullpen innings pitched — a fact Roberts admitted is “not sustainable.”
“Absolutely not, we (don’t) want to lead the league in bullpen innings,” he added.
As the schedule intensifies and rotation depth is tested, the Dodgers are likely to rely on arms like Sauer to maintain balance and avoid burnout among their relievers.