According to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic, the Los Angeles Dodgers will call up star player for the last regular-season matchup against the San Diego Padres. This is a much-needed lift for the Dodgers’ pitching staff, which has struggled with injuries all season. In simultaneous moves, Los Angeles optioned Ben Casparius and placed Gavin Stone on the 60-day injured list, thereby terminating Stone’s season.
Dodgers Calling Up Edgardo Henriquez
Rapid Rise
The 22-year-old began this season with Single-A Rancho Cucamonga and advanced through four levels of minor league baseball before joining the Dodgers. Henriquez, who is originally from Venezuela, was signed by Los Angeles on an international basis in 2019. The right-hander made his professional debut in Rookie level that same year. Since the pandemic wiped out the 2020 minor league season, the right-hander will begin his career in the Arizona Complex League in 2021. The youngster’s ERA was nearly 5.00, but Henriquez struck out more than 33% of the time. The phenom’s ERA dropped half a run the following year, and his walk rate fell, indicating that he has the stuff but needs to work on his control.
Henriquez missed the entire 2023 season because of Tommy John surgery.
Back With a Vengeance
In 2024, the right-hander has a 2.72 ERA, 12.8 walk rate, and strikes out nearly 40% of batters with a vicious slider and a fastball that has reached 104 mph.
The Postseason Push
The Dodgers face the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium tonight in a crucial three-game series. If Los Angeles wins the series, they will secure the National League West Division title and a first-round bye in the postseason. Whatever happens, it appears that Henriquez’s presence in the Dodgers clubhouse indicates that he is auditioning for a spot on the October roster.
One can’t help but recall how the Los Angeles Angels promoted a young Francisco Rodriguez in the final week of the regular season in 2002. The Angels won the World Series with his right arm against the San Francisco Giants. The Dodgers wouldn’t mind a similar result. We’ll wait and see.
