Here’s the latest roundup on the Dodgers from the California Post. In this weekly review, baseball writers reflect on the week, hand out some not-so-official awards, and take a look at how the season has been progressing.
This week’s question
Should we worry about the Dodgers’ bullpen?
Honestly, it feels a bit early to hit the panic button when it comes to the Dodgers’ bullpen.
Last week felt like I was having some déjà vu. Tanner Scott, who has been solid overall, was taken deep twice in tight games, resulting in two tough losses for him. The bullpen as a whole hasn’t been great either, currently sitting at a 5.66 ERA and 1.40 WHIP after a club-record streak of 38 consecutive scoreless innings.
Needless to say, relief pitching can fluctuate quite a bit. And while Scott’s recent struggles are a bit reminiscent of last year, he really has improved overall compared to 2025.
With Edwin Diaz sidelined and younger pitchers like Will Klein and Kyle Hurts stepping up, plus some key veterans still working their way back from injuries, the bullpen is a bit of a wildcard right now. It wouldn’t be surprising if the Dodgers looked to make some changes at the trade deadline.
Player of the week
Alex Freeland (6 hits in 13 at-bats this week, 1 home run, 4 RBIs, season average .250, OPS .694)
We’ve been talking a lot about Ohtani lately, so how about we spotlight someone else this time? Freeland, who had a tough time earlier in the season and even got demoted to Triple-A, has really started to find his footing since returning. He produced multiple hits and multiple RBIs in two different games recently.
In a game against the Phillies last Sunday, he finished 2-for-3 with an RBI double and a home run. Then on Wednesday, he went 3-for-4 with two RBIs, one walk, and even stole a base.
Suddenly, Freeland’s overall numbers look much more respectable. Defensively, he’s made a positive impact too. Manager Roberts praised him, noting his growth and how he’s been handling pressure lately. That’s encouraging.
Pitcher of the week
Jonathan Hernandez (4 innings this week, 1 run, 4 strikeouts, 1.13 ERA this season, 1 hit, 8 strikeouts)
When Hernandez joined the Dodgers last month, there weren’t many expectations. He was simply brought in to help the bullpen amid various injuries. But he’s really started to prove himself, posting impressive strikeout numbers and allowing very few hits.
Roberts remarked that it’s surprising how well he’s performed, given that he hadn’t pitched in the majors in a while. His fastball is clocking in at 97 mph, and he’s been a delightful surprise for the team.
Especially considering the Dodgers have had success with under-the-radar pitching additions in past seasons, they’re hoping Hernandez will continue to develop into a reliable asset.
This week’s outlook
Zach Root (7 scoreless innings this week, 9 strikeouts; 1.50 ERA this season)
The Dodgers don’t often get high picks in the draft, but they have a knack for discovering talent nonetheless. Zach Root, drafted from the University of Arkansas last summer, is quickly making a name for himself at High-A Five Lakes.
After a standout game last week with seven scoreless innings and a season-high in strikeouts, he’s showing promise, having given up only a single hit in the last 20-plus innings.
At just 22, there’s still a long road ahead, but his strikeout rate of 14.3 per nine innings is raising some eyebrows.
This week’s Future Dodger
We’re speculating a bit on potential future additions to the Dodgers.
Jacob Misiorowski, Brewers, Pitcher (ETA: 2031)
The Brewers are currently doing well in the National League Central Division, even trading away their ace earlier in the year to avoid losing him in free agency. It’s a puzzling situation for the team.
While Misiorowski won’t hit free agency until after the 2031 season, it’s likely the Brewers might find themselves in a similar predicament, as has happened before. Like Peralta, he’s a candidate to be available before his final season, depending on what happens with the team’s future.
