Former Yankees pitcher inks minor league contract with Dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers are riding high on their potent offense, leading the NL West with a blistering record of 26-13, tied with the Detroit Tigers for the best in baseball as of a Saturday game. The Dodgers have been lightening up the scoreboard, with five of their last seven victories featuring double-digit runs, including a thrilling 14-11 win against the Diamondbacks, capped off by a game-winning three-run home run from Shohei Ohtani in the ninth inning.

However, the pitching woes continue for the Dodgers. Most recently, reliever Evan Phillips has joined the injured list, making him the team's 13th pitcher on the IL. With 10 of those pitchers on the 60-day injured list, the Dodgers desperately need healthy arms.

In an attempt to strengthen their beleaguered pitching staff, the Dodgers are taking a gamble on former Giants pitcher Lou Trivino, who agreed to a Minor League deal with LA. Following his designation for assignment by the Giants and clearing waivers, Trivino elected free agency rather than accept a Minor League assignment with San Francisco. In less than a day, Trivino's new deal with the Dodgers was finalized.

Lou Trivino's Dodgers Journey: A Low-Risk, High-Reward Venture

Trivino debuted with the Athletics in 2018 and enjoyed his best season as a pro, posting a 2.92 ERA, 143 ERA+, 1.7 bWAR, and 82 strikeouts in 74 innings. He excelled as the Athletics' closer in 2021 and continued his strong performance after being traded to the Yankees at the 2022 trade deadline.

Unfortunately, Tommy John surgery caused Trivino to miss both the 2023 and 2024 seasons as he recuperated. The Giants took a chance on Trivino this offseason, but he struggled in 12.1 innings, eventually being designated for assignment.

Now, the Dodgers hope Trivino can revert to his pre-surgery form. Should he show any signs of improvement, it's likely he'll be called up to LA's roster given the team's critical need for healthy pitchers. However, if Trivino continues to stumble, Los Angeles doesn't risk much with the low-cost signing.

With two top pitchers, Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow, sidelined with a shoulder and elbow injury, respectively[1], and right-handed reliever Evan Phillips dealing with a sore forearm, the Dodgers have had to rely on less experienced pitchers and their bullpen[3][4]. This increased workload raises concerns about fatigue and the risk of additional injuries[1].

Lou Trivino could provide the Dodgers with much-needed depth and stability in their rotation and bullpen, helping alleviate the significant strain on the bullpen as they cope with the absences of several key pitchers. With Trivino's potential ability to pitch effectively, the Dodgers would not only reduce the burden on their current bullpen but also help maintain overall pitching effectiveness and durability throughout the season.

In essence, the Dodgers face a crushing pitching crisis owing to the injuries of starters Snell, Glasnow, and Phillips[1][3][4]. The addition of Lou Trivino could bolster their pitching staff and lessen the pressure on the bullpen by providing experienced pitching in the starting rotation or relief corps. This additional support could help reduce the strain on pitchers due to lengthy innings in the relieved battery, ensuring the pitching staff retains effectiveness and resilience throughout the 2025 MLB season.

The Dodgers' pursuit of Lou Trivino signifies a bid to bolster their pitching staff, given the critical need for healthy arms due to numerous injuries.
With the impending MLB playoffs approaching, the Dodgers' odds of success could hinge on the performance of Trivino and other reinforcements.
As sports rumors circulate, baseball fans and analysts largely agree that Trivino's low-risk, high-reward signing could prove vital in the Dodgers' quest for another championship.
Trivino, who had a resurgent rookie season with the Oakland Athletics, now faces the challenge of returning to his pre-surgery form with the Dodgers, hoping to shore up their pitching woes upon his call-up.
The Dodgers' agreement with Trivino follows a string of setbacks, as the team's pitching depth has been hit hard by injuries, with stars Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, and Evan Phillips all currently on the injured list.
With the approaching MLB trading deadline, the Dodgers' acquisition of Trivino could serve as a prelude to further roster moves aimed at reinforcing the team's pitching rotation and relievers, ultimately strengthening their chances in the upcoming playoffs.