Edgardo Henriquez’s season now appears to be hanging by a thread, and the Dodgers’ bullpen takes a real hit if that thread snaps.
Los Angeles put the hard-throwing right-hander on the 15-day injured list Monday because of back discomfort, and his regular season was already essentially finished at that point. Henriquez was later diagnosed with a low-grade back strain. Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group reported Wednesday, Sept. 16, that the pitcher is “hopeful ” he can return in October after an MRI exam.
That word matters, because “hopeful” is not the same thing as “probable.” In Henriquez’s case, it isn’t clear whether that optimism comes from the nature of the injury or from the belief that the Dodgers will stay alive deep enough into October to give him a chance to come back.
Either way, the Dodgers are now looking at a bullpen that no longer includes one of their most electric arms.
Henriquez’s 103.6-mph fastball was the fastest pitch thrown by a Dodger since at least 2008. He hit that mark on June 2 against the Arizona Diamondbacks, then matched it again on Aug. 29 against the Detroit Tigers.
The velocity is only part of what made him valuable. Henriquez also posted a 71:25 strikeout-to-walk ratio, and he allowed just 37 hits in 60 innings. That combination made the right-hander difficult to square up, and at times, flat-out untouchable.
He also led all Dodgers right-handed pitchers with 61 appearances this season. Without him, manager Dave Roberts may have to piece things together in a different way.
Roki Sasaki could be part of that mix once he gets past a finger blister. Sasaki was a starter in the regular season and worked out of the bullpen during the team’s 2025 World Series run, so a relief role is on the table when he’s ready.
Edwin Diaz is another possibility, though his season has been rocky. The three-time All-Star is currently on a rehab assignment after missing time with a neck injury, and he struggled badly in the closer’s role before going on the injured list Aug.
- In 16 appearances with the Dodgers, Diaz had an 11.85 ERA.
In Other News...
Dodgers Just Made A Bullpen Move That Could Sting Fans Too
The Dodgers got another piece back in the bullpen mix by activating left-hander Kris Bubic off the 60-day injured list and adding him to both the 28- and 40-man rosters. Bubic, who came over from the Royals at the trade deadline, is expected to give Los Angeles a left-handed relief option as it continues sorting through the back end of its staff.
To clear space, right-hander Paul Gervase was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City and outfielder Ryan Ward was designated for assignment. The roster shuffle fits the kind of August management the Dodgers have leaned on all year, but the move also comes with the usual cost of squeezing out a depth piece to make room for a pitcher the club clearly wants available now. [Read more 🡒]
Shohei Ohtani Return Buzz Just Got Very Real For Dodgers Fans
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Amid the current momentum, the bigger buzz for Dodgers fans is Shohei Ohtani, who is still working back from injuries but has recently taken batting practice. The team remains optimistic he could return before the end of the regular season, which would add another layer to a lineup already getting key production at the right time, even as everyone waits to see just how soon that final piece can fall into place. [Read more 🡒]
Dodgers Suddenly Have A Real Josue De Paula Dilemma
Josue De Paula keeps giving the Dodgers another reason to think hard about the future. The top prospect homered against the Miami Marlins, a reminder that the 19-year-old has the kind of power and plate discipline that has drawn comparisons inside the organization to past Dodgers rookie-of-the-year types, including Mike Piazza. For a club that always seems to be balancing present contention with the next wave, De Paulas rise is becoming harder to ignore.
The timing, though, is what makes this interesting. Los Angeles also has to figure out where he fits once Shohei Ohtani comes off the injured list, and that sort of roster puzzle tends to say as much about a prospect as any scouting report does. De Paula is forcing the issue now, and the Dodgers may soon have to decide whether his bat is ready for a bigger stage or whether his path has to wait behind an even larger return. [Read more 🡒]