Dodgers’ young starting pitchers trying to ignore trade deadline rumors
BALTIMORE — They’re coming for their jobs.
As the trade deadline approaches, every rumor and all the analysis (informed or otherwise) pegs starting pitching as the Dodgers’ most pressing need. They are expected to acquire at least one starting pitcher and possibly more in the next 12 days.
That means any of the three rookies currently filling out the Dodgers’ starting rotation – Bobby Miller, Emmet Sheehan and Michael Grove – could be displaced by a new arrival.
“I know it’s an area that we probably have to address. We have three rookies in the rotation right now. That’s not a secret,” Grove said. “I feel like the growing pains are going to be there. But I’m also super confident in Emmet, I’m super confident in Bobby and myself that we can get the job done if we have to. I’ll leave it up to the front office.”
The executives on Twitter are quick to pull the trigger on trade speculation. But Miller said he’s learned to stay away from that.
“I don’t really listen to what outside people have to say,” Miller said. “Each year I’ve been paying less attention to that. Turning off notifications on social media. Stay off it more than normal. Just use it for the right reasons.
“Everyone is always going to have something to say. But whatever we do here, whatever the coaches and staff decide to do, I’m with it 100 percent. We’ve got the right group of pitchers here and we’ve got the right staff. I’ve got all my trust in the staff here.”
Sheehan said he takes the same approach but acknowledged it was more difficult to do in the minor leagues when the names of different prospects would get discussed in trade speculation.
“I don’t read much of it. I mean, I’m on Twitter but not that much,” he said.
“I feel like if I do my job, then nothing is really going to affect me. That’s all I can really think about, just doing my job.”
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said it’s not something that he feels he needs to address with the young pitchers. But it is something they should get used to.
“It’s out there. But I don’t think it affects these guys,” Roberts said. “I mean, for them to be who we need them to be and expect them to be, you’re going to have to handle noise and skepticism, positive feedback, whatever it’s gonna be. That shouldn’t affect performance.”
If the Dodgers are unable to acquire some veteran starting pitchers at the deadline, Miller, Sheehan and/or Grove could find themselves making a postseason start at a young age.
“That’s my dream,” Miller said. “I’ve got to keep working harder to be able to do that. I think out of the second half I’m going in the right direction. I’m focusing on being better than I was the first half.”
MAY SURGERY
As scheduled, right-hander Dustin May underwent surgery to repair the flexor tendon in his pitching elbow Tuesday. There was also a revision to the UCL reconstruction performed during his Tommy John surgery in May 2021.
Recovery is expected to take a full year, with May returning at some point during the 2024 season.
“It’s going to be a long road back,” Roberts said. “It’s a tough one considering all he’s been through.”
ROSTER MOVES
The Dodgers recalled left-hander Justin Bruihl and outfielder Jonny De Luca before Wednesday’s game.
Outfielder Jake Marisnick was placed on the injured list with a strained left hamstring suffered during Tuesday’s game. Right-hander Nick Robertson was optioned back to Triple-A Oklahoma City after pitching the final 1 ⅔ innings of Tuesday’s win.
UP NEXT
The Dodgers are off Thursday.
Dodgers (RHP Tony Gonsolin, 5-3, 3.72 ERA) at Rangers (LHP Andrew Heaney, 6-6, 4.43 ERA), 5:05 p.m. Friday, SportsNet LA, 570 AM