The Los Angeles Dodgers are making some key roster moves to address the temporary absence of designated hitter Shohei Ohtani. As first reported by Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic , outfielder Eddie Rosario will join the active roster after signing a minor league deal with the club in the offseason.
Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register added that right-hander Edgardo Henriquez will be moved to the 60-day injured list to create a 40-man roster spot for Rosario.
While the Dodgers have not officially announced these moves, here’s what we know about the situation and how it impacts the team.
Eddie Rosario Steps Up Amid Ohtani’s Leave
Shohei Ohtani is going on the paternity list to be with his new child, and the Dodgers have an open roster spot. Enter Eddie Rosario, who has been raking in the PCL. The 33 year old outfielder is hitting .339/.406/.542 in 14 games at Triple-A Oklahoma City. He’s showing he can hit for average and power.
The PCL caveats apply, but his 11.6% walk rate and 2 HRs suggest he’s not just getting lucky. Rosario is known for being streaky, so he could be the spark while Ohtani is away.
His career has been a rollercoaster of hot and cold stretches. From 2017-2020, he was a consistent contributor with a .281/.317/.493 line and 112 wRC+. But 2021 was a disaster, and 2022 was a rebound during the Atlanta World Series run, where he was NLCS MVP. Last year, he was terrible, hitting .175/.215/.316 with a 45 wRC+.
The Dodgers are hoping to catch him at the right time, and so far, his Triple-A numbers say they might have.
What This Means for the Dodgers’ Roster
Paternity list stints usually last 1-3 games, so Rosario’s stay on the active roster may be short. If he keeps hitting, though, the Dodgers might keep him around longer. That would mean someone else would have to go. Currently, Andy Pages is the only position player eligible to be optioned, but he’s been playing regular OF. Chris Taylor and Enrique Hernández are veterans who can play multiple positions, so that could be a factor in the decision making process. Rosario is limited to the OF corners, so he’s less versatile than other bench options.
Edgardo Henriquez to 60-Day IL
To make room on the 40-man roster for Rosario, the Dodgers are putting right-hander Edgardo Henriquez on the 60-day IL. Henriquez suffered a left foot fracture in early March under mysterious circumstances. Manager Dave Roberts called it an off-field “mishap,” leaving us with more questions than answers.
Henriquez’s timeline is still unknown, but this move means he won’t be back in the bigs until at least mid-May. Losing a young pitcher is never ideal, but the Dodgers probably view this as a necessary move to help the current roster.
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