May 3rd, 2019 at 2:00 pm 
by 0799291000348 Do these names ring a bell: Charlie Culberson, O’Koyea Dickson, Brian Dozier, Brett Eibner, Kyle Farmer, Logan Forsythe, Matt Kemp, Tim Locastro, Manny Machado, Yasiel Puig, Rob Segedin, Scott Van Slyke, or Trayce Thompson? It’s likely that some of these names are more familiar to you than others, but they all are right-handed hitters who were on the Dodgers rosters in 2017 and / or 2018 but are no longer with the team. In their place are right-handed hitters David Freese, Rocky Gale, Russell Martin, and A.J. Pollock.
Not to debate the quality of the players, or the pros and cons of each transaction, just a fact that the Dodgers depth of right-handed hitting position players has taken a hit over the last two seasons; not really a problem as long as each of the right-handed hitters on the current roster remain healthy and perform to their respective Major League standards.
Then came the devastating news on May 1, 2019 that Pollock, whom the Dodgers signed to a 4-year / $55 million free agent contract (with a player option or $5 million buyout for a fifth year) on January 26, 2019, would require surgery to his right (throwing-arm) elbow on May 2nd to remove the metal plate and screws that were inserted into his growth-plate in April 2016 after breaking his elbow for a second time. It is possible that Pollock will not return to the Dodgers line-up until after the 2019 All Star break.
To replace Pollock, the Dodgers had to choose from Gale (catcher), 20-year-old Keibert Ruiz (catcher), Edwin Rios (infielder / outfielder), and Matt Beaty (infielder / outfielder) without making changes to the 40-man roster, with Gale being the only right-handed hitter among that group. The team decided on 26-year-old Matt Beaty, who was the Dodgers 12th-round selection in the 2015 MLB First-Year Player Draft out of Belmont University in Nashville, TN.
Beaty has proven to be a fine hitter at the minor league level, slashing .307 / .366 / .445 / .810, but his best defensive position, by far, is first base. Now, when the Dodgers face a left-handed starting pitcher (all three games this weekend in San Diego), the only right-handed hitter left on the bench is either Russell Martin or Austin Barnes, the catcher or backup catcher for each of the three games.
Right-handed hitting alternatives at Triple-A Oklahoma City are 26-year old middle infielder Daniel Castro or 26-year-old utility infielder / outfielder Connor Joe (currently on the Minor League Injured List), who was recently returned to the Dodgers by the San Francisco Giants from the Rule-5 draft. Neither Castro or Joe are on the Dodgers 40-man roster, so another player would have to be removed.
The bottom line is that even though the Dodgers have a plethora of depth at nearly every position, they are a bit short when it comes to right-handed hitting depth.
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Posted in 
Jesse your last sentence is what I have been telling others about on other blogs as well and so true!;
“The bottom line is that even though the Dodgers have a plethora of depth at nearly every position, they are a bit short when it comes to right-handed hitting depth.” In past years when dodgers were so unbalanced they didn’t fare too well when it counted the most.
So the depth is not as deep as it should be.
In one area
Dodgers will find a way. They always do.
I believe Dodgers will acquire a right-hand hitting utility player, ideally one who still has minor league options who is experienced at second, short, and outfield. A guy who I like is Daniel Robertson of the Rays. Off to a slow start with the bat.
I am a HUGE Daniel Robertson fan because of this:
https://thinkbluela.com/2019/01/robertson-family-fanfest-a-huge-success/
Would absolutely LOVE to see him in Dodger Blue (as would his mom Julie).
👍
Robertson, eh? I remember him being a pain in the Angels’ backside last year while with the Rays. I like his game, he grinds and hustles (much like Nick Punto in the past). Dodgers shouldn’t have much trouble acquiring him for their bench. Rays have been one of their more active trading partners in recent years.
Have not read or heard any rumors linking him to Dodgers, but makes sense considering makeup of both rosters. Who would Dodgers have to give up? Perhaps Ed Rios and Connor Wong?
Oh, Connor Wong for sure (if only to get Hunter Feduccia out of Low-A ball for once, lol). Tossing in Rios as well would probably seal the deal anyway because he’s thoroughly blocked at the big-league level if he stays in the Dodger system, but I wouldn’t be surprised if someone like a Matt Beaty or a Jared Walker gets sent in the deal instead.
“… it would be ideal to add another right-handed bat. That said, we have a fairly high bar with our mindset being to giving our current guys more of a runway.” Andrew Friedman on Friday, May 3 (OC Register)
Bring up Castro