Spring Training News: Tom Koehler Departs Early
The Dodgers newest bullpen experiment may have taken a step back in today’s outing against Chicago. Tom Koehler came out of the bullpen to enter the game in the bottom of the third inning. The Dodgers had taken advantage of the White Sox in the top of the inning, scoring 4 runs. Koehler came in and faced four batters before suddenly exiting.
Tom Koehler leaves his outing in the 3rd, with a trainer.
— AlaNNa Rizzo (@alannarizzo) March 2, 2018
We will have to wait and see what the reports are later today, but it certainly did not look good. Koehler gave up a lead off home run, walked a batter, got an out and walked another batter. Almost immediately after the pitch that walked Jose Abreu, catcher Yasmani Grandal hustled out to the pitcher’s mound. The trainer was called over, and that was it for Koehler’s day. Whatever the injury is, it certainly does not bode well for a guy trying to crack the big league squad in a new role.
Koehler was signed to a one-year, $2 million contract in late December. While he has spent most of his career as a starting pitcher, Koehler had far more success in his relief role after transitioning from Miami to Toronto. Koehler went to the Blue Jays and pitched to a 2.65 earned run average in 14 appearances out of the bullpen.
Analysis
The injury is no doubt a concern for Los Angeles, as the bullpen lacks depth. Beyond Kenley Jansen, there is not a proven right handed arm in the pen. The hope was that he could be the replacement for last year’s diamond in the rough, Brandon Morrow. Let’s hope it’s just some soreness or that illness going around.
