{"id":106858,"date":"2025-09-09T21:48:07","date_gmt":"2025-09-10T01:48:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=106858"},"modified":"2025-09-09T21:48:07","modified_gmt":"2025-09-10T01:48:07","slug":"how-healthy-dodgers-regular-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2025\/09\/09\/how-healthy-dodgers-regular-season\/","title":{"rendered":"How Healthy Are the Dodgers Going to Be At the Close of the Regular Season?"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Los Angeles Dodgers are not having the season many projected they would in 2025. Despite optimistic projections of a record regular season, Los Angeles finds themselves reeling from a road trip where they managed just one win against the lowly Pittsburgh Pirates and Baltimore Orioles. They are clinging to a one-game lead over their rival, the San Diego Padres, and there is a chance they may not even make the postseason in October. The offense has struggled to produce, most of the bullpen has been throwing gas on fires they are supposed to put out, and they are still dealing with significant injuries<\/a> to the roster. The question is, who will be healthy enough to contribute as they close the regular season?<\/p>\n

How Healthy Are the Dodgers Going to Be At the Close of the Regular Season?<\/h2>\n

The Wounded Backstops<\/h3>\n

Catchers Will Smith<\/a> and Dalton Rushing<\/a> are both dealing with injuries thanks to foul tips. Although both sets of X-rays are negative, Smith and Rushing are dealing with bone bruises. Thus far, Smith has managed to avoid the Injured List.<\/a> However, rookie Rushing did not. If they come back to \u00a0play this season, they will need a high pain tolerance. However, Smith is expected to be in the lineup tonight.<\/p>\n

The Rookie With Potential<\/h3>\n

Right-hander Roki Sasaki<\/a> has been sidelined since May with a shoulder issue.<\/a> Manager Dave Roberts<\/a> said the rookie will make his fifth rehab start for Triple-A Oklahoma City. The Dodgers were optimistic about his return this year. However, it has been somewhat muted with each successive outing. \u00a0He is still working on developing a third pitch to add to his arsenal. The right-hander’s fastball velocity is down, putting the future in question for this season. It appears Los Angeles is slow-walking his return. It would be a major surprise if Sasaki was on a major-league mound this season.<\/p>\n

The Trade Acquisition<\/h3>\n

Right-handed reliever Brock Stewart<\/a> has not had the opportunity to impress<\/a> his old club like he wanted, Stewart has been sidelined since early August with an achy shoulder. However the high-leverage bullpen arm has received a cortisone shot and has resumed a throwing program, If all goes well, Stewart should be available for the latter stages of September, and hopefully October, assuming the Dodgers make it that far.<\/p>\n

Two Flame-Throwing Right-handers<\/h3>\n

Manager Dave Roberts said that reliever Brusdar Gaterol who had shoulder surgery<\/a> late last year will not return to Los Angeles this regular season. The recovery time is taking longer than expected. However, there is a faint hope that Gaterol could return in time for the postseason roster, but it doesn’t look like the Dodgers are holding their breath. \u00a0On the other hand, Kyle Hurt<\/a> who has been rehabbing at Triple-A Oklahoma City has looked impressive. The right-hander who missed all of last year recovering from Tommy John<\/a> surgery in 2023 has an unhittable repertoire of pitches. Could he be an option worth pondering for the post-season roster? Couldn’t hurt.<\/p>\n

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Dave Roberts has no updates on Brusdar Graterol. They\u2019re in the mindset he won\u2019t return this year, but won\u2019t rule him out as an option in the postseason, still.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) September 8, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n