Dodgers reliever Corey Knebel left last night’s game against the Padres with an apparent arm injury and he’s in for a lengthy absence. Knebel is going on the injured list with a right lat strain, manager Dave Roberts told reporters (including Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register). He won’t undergo surgery but will be out for a few months, with Roberts saying the organization hopes Knebel will be able to “pitch for us again this year” (Plunkett link).
Given that timetable, it wouldn’t be a surprise if the Dodgers eventually transfer Knebel to the 60-day IL to open up a 40-man roster spot. It’s a disappointing development for the righty, who missed the entire 2019 season recovering from Tommy John surgery and spent some time on the IL last year due to a hamstring strain. Acquired from Milwaukee over the winter, Knebel has pitched six innings over eight appearances for the Dodgers this year, allowing three runs on three hits and as many walks with nine strikeouts.
Roberts also provided updates on a host of other injured players. Reliever Joe Kelly (shoulder soreness) is expected back in early-mid May, while utilityman Zach McKinstry will need more than the 10-day minimum IL stint to recover from his recent oblique strain (via Juan Toribio of MLB.com). Right-hander Tony Gonsolin, who is recovering from shoulder inflammation, began a long toss program but is not yet ready to work off the mound (per Plunkett). The news wasn’t all bad though, as second baseman Gavin Lux is expected to return from the IL when first eligible on Monday. Lux has been sidelined by right wrist soreness.
With Knebel and Dennis Santana (side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine) going on the injured list, the Dodgers are recalling infielder Matt Beaty and lefty reliever Garrett Cleavinger (Toribio link). Cleavinger, acquired from the Phillies in a three-team deal over the winter, will be making his Dodger debut if he gets into a game.
Thoughts and prayers for Joe Kelly’s speedy recovery. He’s a class act and a great guy, not to mention a darn good pitcher.
Time for Cleavinger to show why the Dodgers took him instead of Alvardo.
Tough news for Knebel, hope he’s not out for year. Price seems to be trending into high leverage late innings?
Robert’s trusts him to come in and throw strikes. I don’t think his role is really defined yet. Injuries are dictating things. Not really sure how flexible his arm will prove to be out of the pen
Nelson looking good, too. Graterol back in the nick of time. Every team goes through this with injuries. Long season, just gotta ride it out.
“Nelson looking good”? He’s pitched 7 innings and walked 6, hit a batter, thrown 3 wild pitches, and gave up 4 runs, more than one run every other outing.
I guess we have different definitions of “looking good”.
“ Nelson looking good”? He’s pitched 7 innings and walked 6, hit a batter, thrown 3 wild pitches, and gave up 4 runs, more than one run every other outing.”
So you clearly didn’t take even a nano second to look at Nelson’s stats, and when he gave up all that damage? Like, it all happened in his first 3 outing after being out of the majors for a year and now 4 years removed from his last productive year? But no one has scored a run against him since the first week?
Maybe actually do a little research before bashing a player? Especially one coming off a massive injury a tons of lost time? What a concept!
Nelson has been disastrous, and showed it again tonight. He doesn’t throw strikes. This bullpen full of failed starters isn’t working. LA had a nice collection of bullpen arms last year, but let some of them walk as free agents, and literally gave a few more of them away. They look like fools at this point.
Guess it helps when Kelly’s back as well.
Honestly, I thought Price may have an early 2000’s John Smoltz like resurgence, eventually working himself into a high-leverage reliever.
I keep waiting for what happens when a Dodgers starter gets knocked out or injured early ( might be long wait) and who they bring in for long innings. I envisioned Price in this role when he wasn’t designated a SP.
The Dodgers enviable depth is being tested early. And this article didn’t even mention Bellinger. Thank goodness they have the deepest 40 man roster in baseball.
This depth isn’t what it used to be. We’ve got a few guys on this roster that clearly don’t belong in the majors.
Phew. The sheer number of updates here is dizzying
Sucks the schedule makers couldn’t even out the Padre/Dodger matchups throughout the year. Not like there’s a massive travel gap.
Though the Dodgers have caught the Pads without Lamet, Nola, Kela, Morejon, Strahm, Castillo, Williams, Altavilla, and variously injured Tatis, Grisham, Myers. Adams, Guerra. I’m sure they (the Pads) wish they were healthier with all these games against the champs.
No one would claim the Padres are 100% either
But LA has 6 injuries mentioned here, without Bellinger, Taylor or Pollock discussed. It goes both ways
Shit happens! It’s part of the game, stop crying buttercup!
Unpopular opinion: with all of these injuries the dodgers should try and sign Shane greene
I have a hunch Greene has a very small list of teams he wants to play for. He’s from FL. I think he wants to stay very close to home, and that’s why we’ve heard nothing from him
Why not sign Greene? Take a flyer on him for the season and see what happens. Just like Jake McGee last year.
hopefully in a couple of months the dodgers will show why they are a juggernaut of an offensive team.. all these injuries won’t help.
Shane Greene to LA
For non Dodger fans: Tough break for Knebel, lots of potential was there; Kelly is junk and just be DFA’d; McKinistry will be in the RoY race; Gonsolin would start on almost any other MLB team; Lux is a bust; Santana will never be good; we’ll see about Clevenger it looks like.
Clev is an org filler – Phillies fan
Lux is a bust? Based on what? Have you seen him play?
I agree with you on Santana. He is not showing really anything great. I’d like to see the Dodgers being up Ruiz as a backstop.
Bad take amigo. Lux is just getting started and his glove/defense is there! Hasn’t been around long enough to decide if he’s a bust. However, I will concede your point about Santana. I think he gets sent back to the minors. Knebel is a loss for the bullpen but we could workout other arms if Kelly can come back and do his job. I admit his pitching is erratic. He has been allowed ample time to rehab and heal.
Too many rookies trying to step in big shoes! Dodgers need some luck with the injuries and I hope the offense continues to try. Crossing my fingers on the McKinstry IL stint. That is disappointing with how well he is playing. Will be looking forward to getting the guys back. No need to throw in the towel!
Considering the Dodger fans keep saying the Padres have an issue with their training or medical staff, here goes. The Dodgers have an issue with their training, conditioning, and medical staff. What an embarrassment, major league baseball should audit them to see what they are doing wrong.
You can’t be serious……..You just wrote the equivalent of “I know you are, but what am I” on a Trade Rumor comment section. You should be proud.
The Dodgers aren’t the team with seven pitchers on the 60-day IL.
Splitting hairs here. An objective view would be that both teams are dealing with injuries and that sucks. I credit both teams, players and medical staffs, for managing through it. But fans love to find blame or excuses still, and I think Vegas is alluding to those fans. It’s on both sides though.
No Brewer, an objective view would note the dodgers are being overly cautious with minor injuries to protect their long term assets, while the Padres are running players out there until their body is broken, throwing caution to the wind with their most valuable players
But hey, no one ever accused VegasSd of being non biased
That’s just your opinion and one you continue to offer ad naus. I suppose it’s a beat you’ll drum forevermore.
It’s not an opinion when there’s multiple cases I can point to. It’s a trend
Hahahahha. Now you just sound salty
You hear Tatis was looking at signs for his two bombs last night, caught on tape? Hmm, what other team was stealing signs while hitting in the batters box lately+ no one on base, against LA. Hmm.
Stay classy San Diego
Lmao. More excuses. Now I see they’re rushing Bellinger back with a broken leg. Scary.
Lmfao oh yeah. The dodgers, with the best record in baseball, are going to rush Bellinger NOW. Hilarious
They aren’t run by Preller buddy
I know they won’t, was being facetious, mimicking your illogical take on every Padres rate of return.