Dodgers Place All-Star Kirby Yates on IL Ahead of Postseason

The Los Angeles Dodgers have hit another snag in their push toward the postseason. Veteran reliever Kirby Yates is back on the injured list with nagging hamstring trouble.

The club is on the verge of clinching the NL West, with their magic number sitting at just three. This injury couldn’t have come at a more delicate time.

Yates’ absence adds to an already turbulent season for the Dodgers’ bullpen. The return of Roki Sasaki offers hope, but it’s fair to wonder if Los Angeles can get the pitching stability they’ll need for a deep October run.

Kirby Yates Hits the IL Again

The Dodgers announced Yates’ injured list stint is retroactive to September 21. That means the earliest he could return is the postseason.

This is yet another IL stint this year for the 37-year-old. He’s battled multiple hamstring issues all season.

Performance Concerns

Yates signed an offseason extension to stay in Los Angeles, but he hasn’t found his rhythm in 2024. Over 41.1 innings pitched, he’s posted a 5.23 ERA and a WHIP just over 1.33.

Those numbers are a far cry from his best years as a late-inning weapon. The inconsistency has been hard to ignore for a Dodgers team trying to patch up every weakness before the playoffs.

Dodgers Bullpen Struggles

The bullpen’s injuries have become one of the team’s biggest headaches this season. The Dodgers’ relief corps just hasn’t had the shutdown dependability you want for playoff baseball.

Starters have had to pick up more innings than anyone would like. That’s left analysts and fans with real doubts about how far this team can go in October.

Why Relief Pitching Matters in the Playoffs

In the postseason, the bullpen can make or break you. Tight games often come down to how relievers handle high-pressure moments against top hitters.

Without late-inning stability, even a strong starting rotation can unravel. The Dodgers need to trust their relief arms if they want to take full advantage of winning the NL West.

The Return of Roki Sasaki

Losing Yates definitely stings, but the Dodgers hope to balance that by activating Roki Sasaki. He’s been out for months with an injury, and now his return is expected to inject some much-needed energy into the bullpen.

Sasaki is known for his electric fastball and sharp command. If he’s healthy, he could step right into a crucial late-inning role.

A Potential Turning Point?

If Sasaki can look like his pre-injury self, the Dodgers might finally have the steady arm they need. His presence could help Dave Roberts redefine bullpen roles and make smarter decisions in big moments.

Keys to Playoff Success

With October looming, Los Angeles needs to fine-tune their approach. Here’s what will matter most:

• Health of the bullpen: Fewer injuries mean pitchers are available when you need them.
• Defined pitching roles: Knowing who pitches which inning keeps things from getting messy under pressure.
• Limiting walks: Free passes have cost the Dodgers late in games, leading to avoidable runs.
• Leveraging star power: Using elite arms like Sasaki in big moments can flip a game on its head.

Looking Ahead

The Dodgers are just three games from locking up the NL West title. But the postseason is a whole different animal.

The offense can carry them only so far. In October, the margin for error shrinks, and a shaky bullpen can derail even the best playoff dreams.

Final Take

Kirby Yates’ injury just goes to show—timing can change everything in baseball. Health? Absolutely priceless.

No one really knows if Roki Sasaki’s return will steady the Dodgers’ bullpen. For now, Los Angeles has to figure out how to keep their relief crew together if they want any shot at October glory.

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