Los Angeles Dodgers Bullpen Strategy: Heavy Rotation of Pitchers Expected in 2026 Season
If recent history serves as a reliable indicator, the Los Angeles Dodgers will rely on an extensive array of bullpen arms throughout the 2026 Major League Baseball season. The club utilized 39 pitchers in 2023, followed by 40 in both 2024 and 2025, reflecting a broader leaguewide trend toward significant pitcher turnover. This continuous churn is not merely a coincidence but a deliberate strategy rooted in modern workload management and the Dodgers' philosophy of building layers of depth behind elite talent.
With a demanding regular season of 186 games ahead, the relief corps is anticipated to function as a revolving door rather than a static unit. This approach allows the team to adapt to injuries, performance fluctuations, and matchup-specific needs, ensuring that fresh arms are always available to maintain competitive edge.
Dodgers Players Sidelined at the Beginning of the Season
The season commences with three key relievers already on the sidelines due to injuries, posing immediate challenges for the team's bullpen management.
- Evan Phillips: Recovering from Tommy John surgery, he is expected to return around midseason. Before his injury, Phillips was a reliable, swing-and-miss, late-inning weapon with valuable postseason experience.
- Brock Stewart: Coming back from shoulder surgery performed in October, his timeline for a full return remains under evaluation.
- Brusdar Graterol: Still building up from a shoulder procedure in 2024, his progress will be closely monitored.
Phillips' absence looms particularly large, as his proven track record in high-leverage situations leaves a significant void. Without him, manager Dave Roberts may need to rely more heavily on off-season additions and deploy pitchers based on specific matchups in the ninth inning, rather than designating a traditional closer from the outset.
Prospect Arms with Projected Depth and Their Utility
The Dodgers have assembled a diverse group of pitchers to stabilize their bullpen, emphasizing depth and versatility.
- Edwin Diaz: Signed to fortify the back end, he brings elite strikeout rates and extensive closing experience.
- Tanner Scott: A power left-hander capable of neutralizing both sides of the plate, adding strategic flexibility.
- Blake Treinen: A veteran righty entering the final year of his contract, offering seasoned reliability.
- Alex Vesia: A left-handed, reliable option with four seasons of consistent bullpen performance.
- Jack Dreyer: A durable reliever who remained active throughout 2025 and into the postseason.
Behind this core group, flexibility remains the overarching theme. Multi-inning and swing contenders like Ben Casparius and Justin Wrobleski provide additional options, as both have minor league assignments and starting backgrounds, making it easier for the Dodgers to address rotation and bullpen needs dynamically.
Options in a Deep 40-Man Roster
The Dodgers' 40-man roster boasts further depth with pitchers such as Edgardo Henriquez, Kyle Hurt, Paul Gervase, Bobby Miller, Ronan Kopp, and Will Klein. Klein's postseason heroics in October 2025 underscored how rapidly roles can evolve within the bullpen, highlighting the unpredictable nature of pitcher deployment.
However, the general trend firmly favors heavy rotation. In 2025, 13 Dodgers pitchers made at least 10 relief appearances, including notable contributors like Anthony Banda (70 games) and Kirby Yates (50 games). Several of these pitchers began the year outside the organization, demonstrating the team's proactive approach to sourcing talent.
If past patterns hold, the Los Angeles Dodgers are likely to maintain eight relievers at any given time during the 2026 season, but could see 12 to 15 pitchers accumulate double-digit relief outings. For the Dodgers, bullpen depth is not merely contingency planning; it is a fundamental component of their competitive design, ensuring resilience and adaptability in the face of a grueling MLB schedule.
