New dad Zack Greinke reunites with Clayton Kershaw and Jimmy Rollins in New York today.
Joc Pederson, CF
Howie Kendrick, 2B
Justin Turner, 1B
Andre Ethier, RF
Yasmani Grandal, C
Carl Crawford, LF
Alberto Callaspo, 3B
Jimmy Rollins, SS
Zach Lee, P
Notes: Ian Thomas was optioned to Oklahoma City to make room for Lee. Also, Adrian Gonzalez has had a stiff neck but might be able to play tonight.
By Jon Weisman
When only moments ago, it seemed, the Dodgers couldn’t find a starting pitcher to save their lives, they might get to enjoy a bit of an overflow over the coming 10 days.
And that’s before entertaining the possibility of whom they might acquire in trade before the July 31 non-waiver deadline.
Zack Greinke has arrived in New York and is set to put his 43 2/3 consecutive scoreless innings on the line in Sunday’s game, with Brett Anderson — who had a successful bullpen session today — lined up after Monday’s off day for Tuesday’s homestand opener against Oakland.
Clayton Kershaw (29 consecutive scoreless innings) will pitch Wednesday against the A’s on five days’ rest. Then, after another off day, the Dodgers could come back with Greinke on Friday — hours after the trade deadline — against the Angels on four days’ rest.
But the Dodgers also have Mike Bolsinger, who last pitched July 22 in Atlanta, to mix in.
With yet another off day August 3, the Dodgers don’t really need a fifth starter again until August 8. By that time, if they were to still need someone, Carlos Frias could be ready to come off the disabled list, or the Dodgers could turn back to Zach Lee, Ian Thomas, Brandon Beachy or another minor-leaguer.
In any case, by August 8, the current setup might already be a distant memory.
In short, the dark times in the rotation might soon be a thing of the past. Bolsinger, Kershaw and Thomas built a bridge over the storm waters, and Lee today could finish the job.
George MacArthur (@gmac515)
World Champion Dodger Roster: Kershaw-l, Grienke-r, Hamels-l, Bolsinger-r, Anderson-l,Jansen-c, Chapman-SU, Baez-r, Howell-l, Peralta-r, Nicasio-lr,Reliever-l, Grandel-c, Ellis-c, Gonzo-1b,Kendrick-2b,Rollins-ss,Turner-3b,Hernandez-u,Callaspio/Oliveria-u,Either-rf,Heisey-rf,Pederson-c,Crawford-lf and VanSlyke-lf.