*  *  * UPDATED March 16, 2015 at 9:30 am (PT) *  *  *

When the Dodgers unceremoniously cut former closer Brian Wilson from the team shortly after the 2014 season ended and after he said that he would be exercising his guaranteed $9.5 million player option for 2015 (and why wouldn’t he?), rumors soon began to spread that the new Dodgers front office was also considering cutting Brandon League. And while this rumor was undoubtedly bred by the media rather than by any substantiated information from Dodgers President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman or Dodgers General Manager Farhan Zaidi, there were a lot of Dodger fans who were hoping that the rumor was true.

But why would Dodger fans want to get rid of a guy who posted a better Earned Run Average out of the bullpen than closer Kenley Jansen did in 2014? It probably had something – or everything – to do with the 12 inherited runners that League allowed to score in 2014 – tops among all Dodger relievers. And although League blew only one save in 2014 as compared to five blown saves in 2013, this undoubtedly was more the result of Dodgers manager Don Mattingly electing not to bring League into a game in a save situation than anything else.

Like all Dodgers pitchers reportting for spring training on February 19, League was extremely optimistic that he was going to have a great spring that would carry over into the new season. And with a guaranteed $7.5 million coming his way in 2015 and a vesting player option for 2016, League was pretty much a lock for one of the limited bullpen spots up for grabs this spring.

(Image courtesy of baseballprospectus.com)

But in the two games in which League has appeared this spring, he  was… well… awful. In 1.1 innings of work thus far this spring, League has allowed five earned runs on three hits with one strike out, one walk and one hit batsman. His ERA is an unfathomable 33.75 and his WHIP 3.00. Even comedian Will Ferrell did better than Brandon League.

To his credit, League retired the side in order on five pitches in his spring training debut against the White Sox, but he absolutely imploded in his second appearance against the Giants.
(Photo credit – Jon SooHoo)

After throwing a bullpen session last Wednesday, League noticed some discomfort in his right shoulder. As a result, Mattingly scratched him from his scheduled appearance against the Cincinnati Reds on Friday, hoping that the extra rest would help. But while playing catch on flat ground on Sunday, League noticed that the discomfort was still there and the Dodgers decided to shut him down completely.

Interestingly, other than “being shut down for a few days” for this “setback,” little else is being said by the Dodgers about League – say… like… an MRI or other medical examination is scheduled. And while this may suggest that the Dodgers are hopeful that it’s nothing serious, one would think that they would want a definitive answer as to the cause of the discomfort with only three weeks of spring training left and an Opening Day roster to fill out.

Aside from the guaranteed money owed to League over the next two season, the list of possible replacements for the Sacramento, CA native – who is celebrating his 32nd birthday today – is rather long and impressive should he be forced to being the season on the disabled list. But where things begin to get a little awkward is if (Lord forbid) League should require surgery, he could essentially ride out his contract without making another pitch in a Dodger uniform – a la Chad Billingsley.

As quiet as the team may be right now regarding League, it is inconceivable that their silence will go on much longer. In fact, it is quite possible, perhaps even likely, that Mattingly will have an update on League during his daily 9:30 am-ish media briefing this morning.

Stay tuned…

UPDATED March 16, 2015 at 9:30 am (PT)

As expected, during his morning media brief Mattingly told reporters that League has an “inflamed shoulder” and will receive an anti-inflammatory injection. He is expected to be “down several more days.”