Dodgers Pitcher's New Role: Bullpen Battle

Justin Wrobleski is seeking to regain his earlier form with the Dodgers by transitioning to a bullpen role. After a strong start to the season that saw him earn an All-Star nod, Wrobleski experienced a significant increase in home runs allowed. A subsequent forearm injury sidelined him in late August. Upon his activation, the Dodgers assigned the 26-year-old left-hander to relief pitching, aiming to leverage his stuff in shorter, high-impact outings. This mirrors his successful multi-inning relief performance during last year's World Series, where he delivered scoreless innings.

The Dodgers envision Wrobleski contributing in crucial moments and potentially handling bulk innings if needed, integrating him into their postseason pitching strategy amidst competition from other prominent starters. Despite his recent struggles with home runs, including one in his first post-injury relief appearance, manager Dave Roberts believes the key lies in execution, specifically in securing early strikes. Last season, Wrobleski's fastball averaged over 97 mph in relief, contributing to a sub-3.00 ERA, a significant jump from his current season's average under 95 mph in a starting capacity. The team anticipates his velocity and effectiveness will rebound in this new bullpen capacity.