Brasier was designated for assignment by the Dodgers on Thursday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports. The Dodgers made their signing of Kirby Yates official, with Brasier losing his spot on the roster as a result. Brasier had a strong 3.54 ERA and 0.96 WHIP with a 25:5 K:BB across 28 innings in 2024, so it's likely he'll land elsewhere either via a waiver claim or trade.
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Brasier was designated for assignment by the Dodgers on Thursday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports. The Dodgers made their signing of Kirby Yates official, with Brasier losing his spot on the roster as a result. Brasier had a strong 3.54 ERA and 0.96 WHIP with a 25:5 K:BB across 28 innings in 2024, so it's likely he'll land elsewhere either via a waiver claim or trade.
The Dodgers and Vesia avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $2.25 million contract with a $3.55 million club option for 2026, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports. Vesia had filed at $2.35 million and the Dodgers at $2.05 million earlier this month, and the two sides will now avoid a hearing. The lefty reliever had a stellar 2024 campaign, collecting a 1.76 ERA and 87:33 K:BB over 66.1 regular-season frames. The Dodgers' bullpen is loaded, but Vesia should see high-leverage opportunities again in 2025.
Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes said Tuesday on the Baseball Isn't Boring Podcast that Kopech (forearm) is going through his normal offseason throwing program and "feeling pretty good." Bob Nightentale of USA Today reported earlier this month that Kopech could miss the first month of the season due to right forearm inflammation that he pitched through during the postseason. However, Gomes indicated that the reliever is in the same boat as the team's other pitchers in that he'll be monitored this spring; however, at this juncture, a late start to the season is not anticipated. Assuming he's healthy, Kopech will be used in high-leverage situations by the Dodgers.
Okey signed a minor-league contract with the Dodgers on Friday that includes an invitation to spring training. Although Okey slashed just .236/.282/.327 across 178 plate appearances at Triple-A Oklahoma City last season, the Dodgers will bring him back to serve as organizational depth for another year. It's highly unlikely he will spend any time in the big leagues in 2025.
Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes said Thursday that while he anticipates Scott receiving plenty of save chances, he will not be the team's set closer, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports. Scott might very well be the favorite to nab the most saves for the Dodgers after inking a four-year, $72 million contract, but the team plans to play matchups in the late innings rather than have a dedicated closer. In addition to Scott, Kirby Yates, Blake Treinen and Michael Kopech (forearm) also figure to be in the mix for save opportunities.
Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes downplayed Kopech's right forearm injury Wednesday and said, "I don't think there's anything of concern at this point," Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports. A report from Bob Nightengale of USA Today on Monday indicated that Kopech could miss the first month of the season due to right forearm inflammation he began experiencing during the playoffs. While Gomes conceded that Kopech was "grinding" through the postseason, the GM doesn't seem to believe it will be a long-term issue. Whether Kopech will indeed get a late start to the 2025 season is not clear. When healthy, Kopech will be part of the late-inning mix in the Dodgers' bullpen.
Kopech could miss the first month of the season due to right forearm inflammation, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports. Kopech battled a forearm issue during the playoffs, although it never got to the point where he was unavailable to pitch. There's no indication the injury has gotten worse since then, with Nightengale noting that Kopech does not have any structural damage. However, the Dodgers are opting to take things slowly with the hard-throwing reliever. Once healthy, Kopech figures to be in the mix for saves, along with Tanner Scott, Kirby Yates, Blake Treinen and perhaps others.
Kopech (undisclosed) is expected to possibly miss the first month of the season, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports. Fabian Ardaya and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic note that Kopech dealt with a forearm issue throughout the postseason, "but it was not deemed to be anything he couldn't pitch through." It's not clear whether it's the forearm problem or something else that might force the month-long absence. More information on Kopech's situation should come to light soon.
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