September 6th, 2019 at 10:00 am 
by 0799291000348 The Dodgers took a minimalist approach to expand their September active roster, opting instead to reserve the remaining regular season’s innings for those players returning from the Injured List: David Freese, Dylan Floro, Ross Stripling; and, Julio Urias from the Restricted List. The team only added top prospect Gavin Lux, backup catcher Austin Barnes (once the mandatory 10-day option period ends), and relief pitcher Josh Sborz.
Conspicuous by their absence from the expanded roster were infielder Edwin Rios (currently ranked 18th in the teams Top-30 prospects), and outfielder Kyle Garlick, both of whom performed well when called upon earlier in the season. Perplexing decisions by Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman and perhaps indicative of future personnel moves, as both players could have easily been added to the roster.
(Video capture courtesy of and photo credit to Matthew Stockman respectively)
One could posit that Friedman and Roberts did not want to overcrowd the dugout and clubhouse with extra bodies who have no chance of being used in the postseason, except that Tyler White, who is currently on the 60-day IL and recently declared out of postseason consideration, is simply taking up dugout and clubhouse space. White is out of minor league options and will likely be non-tendered (not offered a 2020 major league contract) after the season. White, on the bench for September instead of Rios, seems to be a clear message sent to Rios.
Then there is 33-year old utility player Kristopher Negrón, who remains on the roster and also out of minor league options, and another non-tender candidate. Negrón is a nice, feel-good story, but so is the story of Kyle Garlick. Who would you rather have as a pinch-hitter against a left-handed pitcher, Negrón, or Garlick? Seemingly a clear message sent to Garlick.
The exclusion of pitchers JT Chargois, Jaime Schultz and Dennis Santana is without controversy. Each made his own respective bed and their futures appear destined to be with other teams:
- Jaime Schultz: With a 7.20 ERA this season for the Dodgers in four appearances, and a 5.85 ERA for the Triple-A Oklahoma City Dodgers, there is no doubt why Schultz was not recalled. Perhaps a better question is, why he is still on the team’s 40-man roster? Perhaps he will be used in the postseason to pitch live batting practice to Dodgers hitters. After the season, Schultz is also out of minor league options, and another non-tender candidate.
- JT Chargois: The 28-year old enigma: legit fastball, plus slider (actually a spiked curveball), but transient command that allows too many walks and hard contact. He pitched himself off the Dodgers active roster with a 6.33 ERA in 21 appearances. Possibly another postseason batting practice pitcher? Like Schultz, 2019 was Chargois’ last year of minor league options, and he is a likely non-tender candidate.
- Dennis Santana: The 23-year old, currently moved to the OKC bullpen on August 5; 10 relief appearances in the hitter-friendly Triple-A Pacific Coast League resulted in a 1.72 ERA, 21 strikeouts in 15 2/3 innings pitched and holding opposing hitters to a combined .172 batting average. So, considering the state of the Dodgers bullpen why wasn’t he added to the active roster for September? His fate was likely sealed on July 6 when he walked off the pitching mound in the fourth inning, with only two outs, after giving up 10 runs. Santana went straight to the clubhouse, packed his belongings, and left without saying a word to anyone. It is not surprising that he wasn’t added to the roster for September as he may well have pitched his last game – ever – for the Dodgers.
Baseball is a great game but a tough business. Just ask Messrs. Rios, Garlick, Schultz, Chargois, and Santana.
* * * * *
Posted in 
can you explain this?
“His fate was likely sealed on July 6 when he walked off the pitching mound in the fourth inning, with only two outs, after giving up 10 runs.”
santana didnt pitch for the dodgers on july 6th and they lost 3-1.
he also didnt pitch in OKC and they won 7-3
he pitched in three april games & gave up a total of 4 runs in 5 innings
when and where did this breakdown occur?
Good catch! His meltdown was on July 7, at home against Round Rock. 3 2/3 IP – 9 hits and 10 earned runs
In Rios’s case he is an additional LHB and we have plenty of offense from that side of the dish as it is. Muncy, Bellinger have shown they can handle LHP well, along with Verdugo before he was injured. Lux is here and he at least also showed an ability to compete against LHP so obviously there just isn’t room at the INN for Rios. Garlick is a RHB and has power but IDK what they will do with him. As for those pitchers you mentioned, yes they did not earn much consideration here.
Hence, reading between the lines for both Garlick and Rios. Very likely that both will be with other teams before next spring training. If Friedman thought that either player would be contending for a roster spot in 2020 then he would have been added to the roster, even if it was just as observers. It is a tough business.
thanks, it seems he just isnt the same pitcher since his first call up and subsequent injury, however, after reviewing the game, it looks like he got screwed. bases loaded and two out when peters AND peter each made an error on the same play resulting in the bases cleared and then the wheels came off. 1B-BB-2B-HR i’d be steamed too. i’m thinking that some of those runs should have been unearned. regardless, i think the kid has talent and hope he can figure it out.
I agree; and why does the manager leave him out there that long. Nonetheless a player never quits like he did
Very true on both points. Only time i’ve ever seen worse was when Chan Ho gave up 11 in one inning including the 2 grand slams to Tatis. Historic.
Santana isn’t ready for prime time, but he has talent. At 23 yrs old I don’t think we have seen the last of him in the Dodgers organization.
The Dodgers will not give him away, they will want value in return. But the development of May, Gonsolin, Urias, Josiah Gray, Edwin Uceta, Leonardo Crawford, Victory Gonzalez, Marshall Kasowski, John Rooney, and moving Mitchell White to the bullpen makes Santana a trade chip. Just my opinion, but if Dodgers can get a pitcher like Aaron Bummer from the White Sox for Santana, and Omar Estevez (as an example) then Santana will be gone.
I see the Dodgers out of the playoffs in the first round. No juice or life to this team. The Dodgers are built for the season ,not the playoffs and World Series. They’re lucky they play in an extremely weak National West and National League overall where 90% of the teams are awful.We have one ace pitcher in Buehler and the rest number 3 and 4 starters going into the playoffs. Our offense can be pitched to as seen by the Yankees, Braves and lowly Giants. Another disappointing end to the season coming.Sad!
Talk about running up the white flag before the battle has even started!
Forget that, I’d rather believe, “They haven’t begun to fight” or “They won’t fire until they see the whites of their eyes” or “Win one for the Lasorda”.
How do you build a team for the season, not the playoffs?
We have a great team with FIVE potential Aces, Ryu, Kershaw, Hill, Urias and Bueller and a stud filler lineup. No the playoffs will be won by who gets hot at the right time, by the team who won’t be denied. Heart wins in the playoffs.
Genghis Khan: “Clear eyes, full hearts, can’t lose!”