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“No sir, you never have enough pitching. Just when you think you have it, it is usually the time when you suddenly find yourself with pitchers who can never start a game.”

Hall of Fame manager Will McKechnie – Lima Ohio News – January 31, 1940

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McKechnie is not credited with actually coining the phrase, but the old baseball adage is as true today as it was in 1940.

…just ask the Dodgers.

When pitchers and catchers reported to Spring Training on February 17, 2021, the Dodgers had seven veteran pitchers competing for a spot on the five-man starting rotation: Trevor Bauer, Walker Buehler, Tony Gonsolin, Clayton Kershaw, Dustin May, David Price, and Julio Urias. Dodgers top pitching prospect Josiah Gray would also likely be called upon for spot starting assignments during the season.

Then, that Murphy’s Law guy showed up – “Whatever can go wrong, will go wrong”:

• March 28: David Price was scratched from a Spring Cactus League game (illness), and started the regular season in the bullpen.
• April 4: Tony Gonsolin was placed on the 10-day Injured List with right (pitching) shoulder inflammation — he did not return until June 9.
• May 1: Dustin May suffered a tear to his right (pitching) elbow UCL; Tommy John surgery was performed 10-days later, ending his season.
• May 12: Josiah Gray was scratched from his Triple-A Oklahoma City Dodgers start due to right (pitching) shoulder impingement. He returned to OKC rotation on July 4, pitching two innings.
• July 2: Trevor Bauer was placed on seven-day administrative leave by Major League Baseball, his return uncertain.

Gonsolin struggled with command in his first starting assignment, pitching only 1.2 innings. But, in his last four games (three starts) since, he has allowed only four earned runs in 14.1 innings (2.51 ERA). The Dodgers have won all five games Gonsolin has appeared in this season.

While the team has been opposed to using Price for more than a couple of innings per game, stretching him out to pitch three or four innings is now an option being considered. Building up his innings could make him a viable partner with Gonsolin every fifth game.

Gray will continue to rebuild his arm strength and pitching stamina at OKC. If all goes well, he could be ready to help the Dodgers before the end of July.

Another highly-regarded pitching prospect may be on the cusp of helping the team sooner than expected. Soon-to-be (on August 17) 24-year old right-hander Ryan Pepiot, who the Dodgers selected in the third round of the 2019 MLB First-Year Player Draft out of Butler University, spent the 2020 season practicing at the team’s alternate training site at USC, where he impressed coaches and fellow players alike. He is now dominating Double-A hitters with the Tulsa Drillers and owns an impressive 1.73 ERA. In 41.2 innings pitched, Pepiot has allowed only 17 hits while striking out 57. The 6’-3” / 215-pound Indianapolis, IN native could be called upon later this season. In fact, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was asked during his pregame media session on Monday if there was a realistic chance that Pepiot might be called up to the Dodgers this season.

“It’s certainly a possibility,” Roberts answered. “Ryan had a really special night last night. I think the organization, Henny (Drillers manager Scott Hennessey), Borkowski (Drillers pitching coach Dave Borkowski), did a great job managing him, letting him get through seven. I thought it was great, fantastic. What a special night, a special young man.

“So, obviously with the need, I don’t think it was in the plans when we started the season, but things obviously in a baseball season change. So we’ll continue to evaluate, but Ryan’s a big part of what we’re doing now and going forward.”

With the uncertainty surrounding Bauer’s availability, the Dodgers will likely consider trading for another MLB-seasoned starting pitcher – perhaps a starting pitcher like Colorado Rockies right-hander Jon Gray, or Kansas City Royals left-hander Danny Duffy, both of whom will be free agents at the conclusion of this season.

Or, the Dodgers could make a more significant move by trading for Cincinnati Reds right-hander Luis Castillo. Castillo would be very expensive in terms of prospects going to the Reds, but he would be a difference-maker now and through the 2023 season.

Stay tuned, the trade deadline is July 31.

But don’t forget Murphy’s Second Law – “Any solution can create its own problems.”

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