The Dodgers took a hit in their bullpen Monday, placing right-hander Edgardo Henriquez on the 15-day injured list with low back discomfort just minutes before their series opener against the Cincinnati Reds.
That move shuts Henriquez down for the rest of the regular season, since he won’t be eligible to return until Sept. 29. To fill his spot, Los Angeles recalled right-hander Bobby Miller.
It was the second bullpen adjustment the Dodgers made Monday. Earlier in the day, the club optioned right-hander Emmet Sheehan and brought up right-hander Paul Gervase.
Henriquez’s absence stings because he has become one of the more important arms in the Dodgers’ relief mix. In his first full big league season, the 24-year-old put together a 2.85 ERA across 61 appearances, striking out 71 and walking 25 while giving up only one home run in 60 innings.
He’s also one of the hardest throwers in the sport, sitting in the 100th percentile with an average fastball velocity of 100.8 mph. His underlying numbers are just as strong, with percentile rankings in the 98th or better in expected ERA, expected batting average against, average exit velocity and hard-hit percentage.
Henriquez has earned more and more trust from manager Dave Roberts lately, and Roberts made it clear recently how much the right-hander has grown.
“I just think it’s the confidence. I think the last six weeks, the efficiency rate, strike throwing, the quality of strikes is much better,” Roberts said recently.
“The breaking ball is much better, too. I think that’s just confidence.
He’s a different person now than he was six weeks ago. He’s very dependable.”
For Los Angeles, the timing is rough. Henriquez is now out for at least the rest of the regular season and possibly longer, a tough break for the two-time reigning World Series champions.
Miller, meanwhile, gets another shot at the major league level. He was activated from the 60-day injured list in early September after spending more than a year away from the big league club, and he made the most of his latest opportunity.
Last weekend against the Washington Nationals, Miller threw three innings, picked up the win and allowed one run while striking out two. He was sent back down the next day, but Roberts praised the way he kept pushing through a difficult stretch.
“I give him a lot of credit for continuing to fight to be a part of this,” Roberts said after Miller's season debut. “He could have easily cashed in the season.
Coming out of spring training, he was hurt, and really never got any traction as far as health. And there was good, there was not good, and to continue to persevere - that says a lot about the character.”
Now Miller is back in the picture again, with another chance to earn a postseason roster spot. If Henriquez’s injury lingers into October, Miller could find himself in position to help the Dodgers in the playoffs.
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