Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Justin Wrobleski has been moved from the starting rotation to the bullpen in an effort to address recent home run issues and recapture his early-season All-Star form. The 26-year-old left-hander was activated from the injured list Tuesday, joining the team as roster limits expanded, but will now be utilized in relief for the remainder of the campaign.
Two months ago, Wrobleski was considered a feel-good story for the Dodgers, emerging as an All-Star-caliber pitcher and a potential playoff starter. However, his performance declined, marked by an increase in home runs allowed. In a four-start stretch, he surrendered 11 home runs and 19 earned runs over 19 2/3 innings. This was followed by a stint on the injured list due to forearm inflammation.
Manger Dave Roberts expressed optimism about Wrobleski's transition to the bullpen. "I’m really anxious to see how it looks in short spurts," Roberts said. "I do think the stuff will tick up." The team envisions him filling a role similar to last October, where he provided five scoreless innings out of the bullpen during the World Series, including crucial outings in Games 6 and 7.
Despite being squeezed out of the rotation by stars like Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Blake Snell, Tarik Skubal, and Tyler Glasnow, the Dodgers view Wrobleski as an integral part of their postseason pitching strategy, potentially for high-leverage or bulk relief innings. However, his recent struggles with the long ball, including giving up a home run in his first post-injury relief appearance against the St. Louis Cardinals, remain a concern.
Roberts attributed Wrobleski's struggles to execution, specifically the inability to consistently get ahead in the count and secure first-pitch strikes. "With Justin, it’s strike one," Roberts explained. "When you’re 1-0, then you give in, and then there’s hard contact. Whereas if you’re 0-1, a lot of times hitters are in between, and then you can get the soft contact, the pop-up, infield pop-up."
However, statistical analysis suggests a more complex issue. While Wrobleski's first-pitch strike percentage has increased to 70%, nine of the 12 home runs he has allowed since his early-season success have come after getting ahead in the count. This indicates mistakes over the plate in attempts to finish batters have been a more frequent problem.
The Dodgers are hopeful that the bullpen role will boost Wrobleski's velocity. Last year, he averaged over 97 mph with his fastball as a reliever, compared to under 95 mph this season in a starting role. "Last year out of the pen, it was 97-99, and getting ahead of guys," Roberts recalled. "So that’s who we expect him to be for the rest of September."
The move also considers Wrobleski nearing his career-high in innings pitched. Ultimately, the transition is seen as the best fit for the Dodgers' roster and, for now, for Wrobleski himself. "I think [he started to get] a mentality, potentially, about being too fine [with his pitches]," Roberts said. "At the end of the day, the equation, the formula is still get ahead."