Dodgers' NLCS Roster Excludes Miguel Rojas and Alex Vesia Due to Injuries
The Los Angeles Dodgers have added experienced outfielder Kevin Kiermaier and right-handed pitcher Brent Honeywell Jr. to their roster for the National League Championship Series on Sunday.
The NLDS, which will feature the Dodgers against the New York Mets, is set to begin on Sunday evening in Los Angeles.
Kiermaier and Honeywell have been brought in to replace injured players Miguel Rojas and Alex Vesia, respectively.
Vesia had to leave Game 5 of the National League Division Series against the San Diego Padres during his warm-up pitches before the eighth inning. According to manager Dave Roberts, Vesia was dealing with an injury to the intercostal area, which refers to the muscles between the ribs.
Manager Roberts will have only one left-handed pitcher, Anthony Banda, available for the NLCS. However, right-hander Michael Kopech has proven to be effective against left-handed hitters.
Rojas was limited in the NLDS due to a torn left adductor muscle, which he had aggravated during the final homestand of the regular season. He had been playing through groin discomfort in September.
The Dodgers acquired Kiermaier, who is 34 years old, from the Toronto Blue Jays at the trade deadline in July. In the 34 games he appeared in, Kiermaier had only 59 at-bats and recorded a batting average of .203, along with one home run, eight RBIs, and seven runs.
Kiermaier, a four-time Gold Glove winner, is expected to be used as a defensive replacement and will provide depth to the outfield, with Tommy Edman moving from center field to shortstop in Rojas' absence.
Honeywell, who is 29 years old, was acquired off waivers from the Pittsburgh Pirates in July. In 18 games (one start) and 34 1/3 innings, he had a record of 1-1 and an ERA of 2.62.
The Los Angeles pitching staff also includes right-hander Ben Casparius, who replaced Michael Grove during the NLDS, and right-hander Edgardo Henriquez, who has only three games of regular-season experience and made one appearance in the NLDS.
The Dodgers have a total of 13 pitchers and 13 position players on their NLCS roster.
