As playoffs approach, Dodgers don’t have time to ask ‘what if’ about Eduardo Rodriguez

LOS ANGELES — When the name of Eduardo Rodriguez was introduced, some people did not forget. The Detroit Tigers left-hander received a few boos, not from fans eager to return his glove spike to the same ballpark but for Rodriguez’s decision not to call Dodger Stadium home for a few months. .

His imminent arrival in Los Angeles played out so quickly, it’s easy to forget the shock that came out of the Los Angeles Dodgers clubhouse because they, like everyone else, knew the Dodgers had agreed to a deal to land him. Rodriguez – he was the only one making the request. his no-trade clause to eliminate the deal. Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said at the time that while they hadn’t been told Rodriguez would waive his no-trade — “We didn’t expect it.” Others, including former teammates Mookie Betts and JD Martinez, had feelings after Rodriguez didn’t text them back when they contacted him about his potential arrival.

“Absolute crickets,” Martinez said at the time, laughing and not commenting when brought back on Monday night.

Then he went on to hit a pair of home runs in his first two times facing him since, fattening Rodriguez’s final streak (five runs in three innings) with a solo blast and three run shot in what would have been an 8-3 Dodgers win.

“Everybody makes their decisions, everybody has their choices, why they do it,” Martinez said. “He texted me and apologized, saying why can’t he text me like that anymore. It was a family decision. I understand, man. He had to do what he had to do for her, and understand it. Obviously, we want him here but this is it.

Rodriguez left the next inning with a trainer after what Tigers manager AJ Hinch told reporters was a “scap spasm” suffered in the fourth inning throw to Chris Taylor, ending the a short and unforgettable trip to Los Angeles playing the ropes against a club that shows why it is so dangerous when matched with his arm caliber.

Starting pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez walked off the mound after suffering an injury against the Dodgers on Monday. (Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

“I’m definitely, like everybody else, surprised that he didn’t turn down his no-trade to come here, to play for a team that’s contending,” Roberts said Monday afternoon. “But that’s something personal to him. Obviously, I’m sure there’s a good reason behind it. I just don’t know the answer to that.”

In fact, they were upset, that Rodriguez exercised his right to negotiate to stay in Detroit, citing a desire to stay closer to family in Miami.

“Everyone has different reasons and opinions on their own careers and I respect Eduardo’s reason why he doesn’t want to come here,” veteran infielder Miguel Rojas said. “We take care of what we can control, which is our clubhouse, and we move on.”

The Dodgers have little other choice. They came out of the deadline with just two additions to their rotation in Lance Lynn and Ryan Yarbrough, who has become a versatile swingman. They never got the impact arm they were clearly looking for at the deadline. Justin Verlander coming to Los Angeles seems unlikely as long as Houston is involved (which the Astros do). Max Scherzer brings a complicated history and a difficult contract to navigate. Lucas Giolito went to Anaheim for a big price, as did Jordan Montgomery in his deal with the Rangers. The Dodgers have been in talks for Chicago’s Dylan Cease, Pittsburgh’s Mitch Keller and even Boston’s James Paxton, but they haven’t stopped moving.

Rodriguez could have helped. The Dodgers’ pitching depth has gotten worse since the deadline.

Their Opening Day and presumptive Game 1 starter, Julio Urías, is on paid administrative leave and cleaning out his locker after being arrested on suspicion of felony corporal injury to a spouse.

Tony Gonsolin, who had been pitching with a torn ulnar collateral ligament since June, finally passed out and underwent Tommy John surgery.

Walker Buehler has officially announced that he will not return to the majors this year as he recovers from his second Tommy John.

As it stands, it’s anyone’s best guess how many, if any, the Dodgers have a starter’s record in the fifth inning and beyond in October.

Bobby Miller’s status is secure, but he is a rookie. Clayton Kershaw is dealing with a shoulder problem. Lynn, starting opposite Rodriguez, nearly made it five scoreless innings before giving up a three-run shot for his 42nd home run of the year – the most of any majors since Bronson Arroyo in 2011 – and entered the night with a 4.60 ERA as a Dodger. Yarbrough pitches well, but the Dodgers value his versatility. Behind them is a group of talented, unproven rookies in Ryan Pepiot, Emmet Sheehan and Gavin Stone.

It is not difficult to blame them for asking, what if? Roberts disagreed.

“I think if a guy doesn’t want to be here for whatever reason, then that’s lifeeverything is fine,” said Roberts.

Even before Monday’s early exit, Rodriguez couldn’t match his best first half after the deadline. He’s not alone when it comes to options the Dodgers are trying to acquire, have acquired or who have been largely moved:

So the Dodgers have to bet with what they have. Roberts called Lynn’s start “a big step in the right direction.” He noted Lynn’s aggressiveness with his stuff in the zone without feeling like the right-hander was holding anything back for the late start. Last October, he was likely out of the ballgame when Detroit strung together a pair of two-out singles in the fifth and Jake Rogers knocked Lynn’s elevated fastball out of the park.

The division is wrapped up, the post-clinch hangover a few hours old. With two weeks to go, the Dodgers still have time to see what they have.

“I know what I can do,” Lynn said. “And I still have a few starts to find my ground here.”

(Top photo of JD Martinez watching his three-run homer against Eduardo Rodriguez of the Tigers: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)