LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Dodgers have added right-hander Luis García to their expanding injured list due to a right adductor strain, further intensifying their pitching challenges. García was placed on the 15-day injured list prior to Sunday’s game against the New York Yankees as the team works to manage the mounting absences among their pitchers.
Details Surrounding García’s Injury and Contributions
Manager Dave Roberts confirmed García’s injury after the right-hander suffered the strain while covering first base during a recent game in Cleveland. García’s last appearance came on Tuesday, when he pitched the final inning in a 9-5 Dodgers victory over the Cleveland Guardians. In that game’s closing play, García sprinted to cover first base to complete the out on a ground ball hit by Nolan Jones.
Currently, García ranks third among Dodgers relievers in both appearances and innings pitched, with 26 outings and 26 innings logged this season. His performance includes a 4.50 ERA and a 4.81 expected ERA, alongside 23 strikeouts and 11 unintentional walks. Notably, García has been one of the team’s workhorses, pitching on three consecutive days from May 16 to 18 and logging multiple innings in five appearances. He is the only Dodgers reliever to pitch five times over an eight-day span this season.
The Dodgers backdated García’s injured list stint by three days, the maximum allowed under MLB rules, meaning he will not be eligible to return before June 13. This designation leaves the Dodgers with 15 pitchers currently sidelined, highlighting the increasing strain on their bullpen resources.
Roster Moves and Rehabilitation Updates
To bolster the pitching staff, the Dodgers recalled Noah Davis from Triple-A Oklahoma City. This marks Davis’s third promotion to the major league club this year. In his prior MLB appearances, Davis pitched in three of the Dodgers’ last seven games, surrendering four runs (three earned) over 2⅔ innings, while striking out three and issuing two walks.
Davis was acquired from the Boston Red Sox on March 27 for cash considerations. He has also appeared in 14 games for the Triple-A team, posting a 5.75 ERA with 26 strikeouts and 11 walks across 20⅓ innings. Most recently, he delivered a scoreless inning on Friday, throwing 19 pitches for Oklahoma City.
Among other injured Dodgers pitchers, Michael Kopech is the most advanced in his recovery. Kopech pitched a scoreless inning Sunday during his ninth rehab appearance with Oklahoma City, allowing one walk and recording one strikeout. Manager Dave Roberts expressed optimism about Kopech’s return, stating,
“The hope is, if it goes well today, we’ll get him back some time next week,”
—Dave Roberts, Manager
Edgardo Henriquez, out since spring training with a broken left foot, pitched a scoreless inning on Sunday in Triple-A, though he issued two walks. He has appeared in only two rehab outings, indicating he will need extended time in the minors before rejoining the Dodgers.
Kirby Yates is progressing in his recovery from a right hamstring strain sustained on May 17. He has been throwing again this week and is scheduled for a bullpen session, with a possible return shortly after the Dodgers begin their road trip in St. Louis on Friday. Roberts noted,
“Next weekend is something we’re keeping an eye on. I think we’re going to do a simulated game this week, and if that goes well we should be ready to move forward.”
—Dave Roberts, Manager
Recent Game Highlights and Implications for the Dodgers
On June 1, the Dodgers faced the Yankees and were defeated 7-3. In that game, Shohei Yamamoto made his shortest start of the year, contributing to the Yankees’ victory. The game also saw Luis García being placed on the injured list and Noah Davis called up, reflecting the team’s ongoing adjustments to a stretched pitching staff.
Given the current number of injured pitchers, the Dodgers are working to sustain their rotations and bullpen depth. Manager Roberts’s cautious approach to player rehab and roster management demonstrates the team’s effort to navigate this challenging phase while aiming to remain competitive during the season.
The uncertainty around recovery timelines for key pitchers like García, Kopech, Henriquez, and Yates underscores an ongoing vulnerability in the Dodgers’ pitching staff. How the team manages upcoming road games and potential further injuries will be critical in maintaining their playoff ambitions.