The Los Angeles Dodgers have been plagued by injuries for the better part of the 2024 season, with Mookie Betts, Walker Buehler, Jason Heyward, Clayton Kershaw, Max Muncy and Yoshinobu Yamamoto among the players to miss a significant amount of time.
As a result, the Dodgers were forced to rely on depth players and prospects in bigger roles. While there have been some bumps in the road, the team has largely managed to withstand the injuries for the most part.
With the Dodgers getting healthier, they enter Thursday within striking distance of the best record in baseball. That currently belongs to the Cleveland Guardians, who are 72-49 and one game ahead of the Dodgers in the standings.
Manager Dave Roberts praised the team for being able to weather the storm, via Mike DiGiovanna of the L.A. Times:
“It’s remarkable,” Roberts said. “It’s a credit to those guys in the room, the coaches, and everyone playing their tails off. And I still believe we haven’t played our best baseball in quite some time. The expectation is for us to be even better.”
Betts, Heyward and Kershaw have since rejoined the Dodgers, and Buehler did as well but struggled in his return. Muncy and Tommy Edman are poised to be activated next week, and the club is also optimistic Yamamoto will be able to return this season as well.
In addition to the aforementioned players, the Dodgers roster was fortified at the trade deadline by acquiring the likes of Jack Flaherty, Michael Kopech, Edman and Kevin Kiermaier.
Flaherty and Kopech have already made a big impact with the team, with the latter gaining more trust out of the Dodgers bullpen.
Dodgers ‘very aware’ of National League West standings
The Dodgers at one point held a nine-game lead in the National League West standings, but have seen that shrink due to the excellent play of the San Diego Padres and Arizona Diamondbacks.
“We’re very aware of it,” Roberts recently said of the NL West race. “I’d be lying if I said no one is watching the scoreboard and appreciating how good the rest of the teams in our division are playing. So that just puts the onus on us to play good baseball.
“I think we do have a very good mind to go out there and take care of business, win baseball games. We’re certainly aware.”
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