Dodgers Notes: LA Trades a World Series Hero, a Key Reliever’s Setback, and a Young Pitcher’s Demotion

 

The Los Angeles Dodgers are a team built for the long haul. With an organizational philosophy that prioritizes depth, sustainability, and ruthless efficiency, they have constructed a modern-day dynasty that is as resilient as it is talented. Even as they charge toward another division title, however, the ruthless nature of their roster management has been on full display. In a whirlwind of recent moves, the Dodgers have made a series of calculated, yet emotionally challenging, decisions that underscore the cold, hard reality of professional baseball. They lost a former All-Star in a surprising trade, received crushing news about a key reliever, and made a difficult decision to send a highly touted young pitcher back to the minors. These moves, while jarring, are a testament to the team’s unwavering focus on its ultimate goal: another championship.

The most shocking of these recent developments was the trade of veteran infielder and former All-Star Max Muncy. For years, Muncy was the heart of the Dodgers’ lineup, a beloved figure who was both a fearsome slugger and a clubhouse leader. His penchant for a well-timed home run and his gritty, disciplined at-bats made him a fan favorite. After a strong bounce-back season in 2025 where he posted a .295 average and 17 home runs, seemingly putting his recent injury struggles behind him, the Dodgers made the stunning decision to trade him to a mid-market team on the periphery of the playoff race for a package of young prospects.

The news landed like a bombshell. While the team’s front office has a history of making cold, calculated decisions for the greater good, the trade of a player of Muncy’s stature was a tough pill to swallow for many. The logic, however, was difficult to argue with. At 35, Muncy’s age and checkered injury history, including a recent stint on the injured list with a strained right elbow, made him a high-risk long-term investment. By trading him, the Dodgers freed up his $10 million salary for the 2026 season and brought in a few promising prospects that will help replenish a farm system that has been depleted by recent trades. The move also made sense from a positional standpoint. With the recent return of Tommy Edman and the emergence of other young players, the Dodgers felt they had enough depth to cover third base without Muncy. It was a move that prioritized future financial flexibility and long-term sustainability over a beloved, but aging, star.

The trade also had an immediate impact on the clubhouse. While the team’s veteran core is well-versed in the transactional nature of the sport, the departure of a respected teammate and a World Series hero served as a harsh reminder of the business side of baseball. For the younger players, it was a valuable lesson in the ruthless calculus that goes into roster management. The message was clear: no one is truly safe. Every player, from the superstar to the rookie, is a piece of a larger puzzle, and if a better-fitting piece comes along, or if a veteran’s contract becomes a liability, a move will be made. The Dodgers’ ability to make these difficult decisions is a core reason for their success, but it doesn’t make the human element any easier.

On the pitching front, the Dodgers received a crushing setback with news that flamethrowing reliever Brusdar Graterol is unlikely to pitch this season. Graterol, who underwent labrum surgery on his right shoulder last November, was hoped to be a late-season addition to the Dodgers’ bullpen, providing a much-needed shot of high-octane velocity for the postseason. However, after a series of setbacks in his rehabilitation, manager Dave Roberts delivered the somber news that Graterol has yet to resume throwing and his chances of returning in 2025 are slim to none.

This is a massive blow to a Dodgers bullpen that, despite moments of brilliance, has been inconsistent at times throughout the season. When healthy, Graterol has been a dominant force, a high-leverage arm capable of shutting down the heart of an opponent’s lineup with his sinker. His powerful stuff and postseason experience, which includes a 1.85 ERA over 24.1 career playoff innings, were supposed to be a secret weapon for the Dodgers in October. His absence will put more pressure on other relievers to step up and perform in high-stakes situations. While the team has added players like Michael Kopech and Alex Vesia back to the bullpen from the injured list, the loss of Graterol’s unique stuff and proven track record is irreplaceable. The Dodgers will have to rely on their depth to make up for his absence, a task that will test the resilience of the bullpen to its core.

The final piece of jarring news came with the decision to send young pitcher Roki Sasaki back to the minors. The 23-year-old phenom, who joined the Dodgers with immense fanfare, has struggled to find his footing at the Major League level. After posting a 4.72 ERA in his first eight starts and suffering a right shoulder impingement in mid-May, Sasaki was sent on a rehab assignment to Triple-A Oklahoma City. While his recent rehab outings have shown flashes of his electric stuff, including a few pitches that touched triple digits on the radar gun, he has failed to demonstrate the consistency and command that the Dodgers were looking for. With his rehab window expiring, the team made the difficult decision to keep him in the minors, a move that effectively ends any hope of him contributing to the big league club this season.

For a player with the hype and talent of Sasaki, a demotion is a difficult pill to swallow. While he will continue to develop in the minors, the decision to keep him down sends a clear message: the Dodgers are not willing to take on a high-risk project in a playoff race. They will rely on their proven starting rotation, which includes the likes of Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Blake Snell, to carry them through the postseason. The decision to send Sasaki down is a tough one, but it is also a pragmatic one. It shows the team’s commitment to winning now, while also preserving the long-term health and development of their prized young pitcher. Sasaki’s struggles have been a major storyline for the Dodgers this season, and his demotion is a clear indication that the team will not force the issue. He will continue to work on his command and consistency in the minors, and the hope is that he will return to the big leagues in 2026 as a more complete and confident pitcher.

In the end, these three pieces of news tell a similar story about the Dodgers’ organizational philosophy. The trade of a beloved former All-Star, the devastating injury to a key reliever, and the demotion of a prized young pitcher are not isolated events. They are all part of a larger plan to build a sustainable and enduring dynasty. The Dodgers are willing to make difficult, unpopular decisions for the sake of long-term success. They are a team that is not afraid to say goodbye to a veteran for the right price, or to send a struggling prospect back to the minors for his own good. They are a team that believes in its depth and its ability to overcome adversity. The road to another championship will not be easy, but with a clear vision and a relentless focus, the Dodgers are poised to face any challenge that comes their way. The recent flurry of roster moves may have been difficult to watch, but they were all made with one goal in mind: winning in October.