The Los Angeles Dodgers made a pair of changes to their postseason roster for the National League Championship Series, adding Edwin Rios and Alex Wood while swapping out Gavin Lux and Terrance Gore.
Lux was included on the Dodgers’ NL Division Series roster, but did not receive much playing time, striking out in his only plate appearance — a pinch-hit opportunity — in Game 3. Gore was featured on the club’s first two postseason rosters but never appeared in a contest.
With the roster adjustments, Lux and Gore now find themselves part of the Dodgers’ 12-player taxi squad for the NLCS. They are joined by Scott Alexander, Rocky Gale, Josiah Gray, Zach McKinstry, DJ Peters, Luke Raley, Keibert Ruiz, Dennis Santana, Josh Sborz and Mitch White.
All but Gale and Gray were on the taxi squad for the Wild Card Series; Floro and Lux were part of that group as well. Ruiz earned a spot on the Dodgers’ Wild Card round roster but returned to the taxi squad for the NLDS.
Alexander, who contracted coronavirus (COVID-19) and reported late to Summer Camp, was with the team until Walker Buehler returned from his first stint on the 10-day injured list on Sept. 2.
McKinstry sustained momentum from last season by showing well in Spring Training and Summer Camp. He made his MLB debut against the San Diego Padres and appeared in three of four games at Coors Field, making one start.
Peters spent the entire 2020 season training with fellow Dodgers prospects at USC, and has yet to make his MLB debut. Raley, a seventh-round pick of the Dodgers in 2010, returned to the franchise during the offseason as part of their trade with the Minnesota Twins.
Santana earned a spot on the Opening Day roster for the first time in his career and went 1-2 with a 5.29 ERA in 12 games.
Sborz spent another season rotating on and off the active roster, pitching to a 2.08 ERA in four games. White also made his MLB debut this season, throwing three scoreless innings and going 1-0 in two appearances.
The Dodgers can replace an injured player from a member of the taxi squad, however that person would not be eligible to return during the NLCS and also would have to sit out if L.A. advances to the World Series.
Roberts hinted Rios would return for NLCS
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts suggested Rios was likely going to return and also hinted at a change in the bullpen to combat against potentially playing seven games in as many days.
Rios was limited to a potential pinch-hit appearance in Game 1, but could see his role expanded as the NLCS progresses.
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