Dodgers Rookie Michael Grove Open to Doing Whatever Team Needs of Him
Michael Grove isn't stubborn.
The Los Angeles Dodgers rookie isn't married to a role as he tries to establish himself in the MLB, and he's willing to do whatever role is needed of him if it means his team would have a better chance to win.
“I want to fill in and help this team win, because we need that right now. Whatever I can do to be part of that, that’s what I’m looking for.”
All of this comes with the specter of a rotation change hanging over the team.
Noah Syndergaard's first season in Dodger blue has been a struggle, and although manager Dave Roberts wants to keep his faith in the former Mets ace, a change in that stance seems inevitable if things don't improve quickly for Thor.
As things stand, Syndergaard is 1-4 with a 6.54 ERA this season -- a performance far below what was expected of a player signed this offseason to provide rotation depth.
He's set to make his next scheduled start on Wednesday against the Cincinnati Reds, but anything beyond that is uncertain.
That's where Grove comes into play.
For now, he's been starting for the Dodgers because of Julio Urias' absence with a hamstring injury.
Urias could return as soon as this weekend against the Phillies, leaving a question as to what to do with Grove.
Grove hasn't been perfect in 2023, sporting an 0-2 mark with an 8.14 ERA. But aside from a start against the Diamondbacks that inflated that stat, he's shown signs of the potential that had the Dodgers draft him in the 2nd round in 2018.
He figures to stay on the roster in some capacity after the return of Urias, and having him replace Syndergaard in the rotation if needed looks like the most seamless transition.
Even if Syndergaard improves against the Reds, Grove could still have a spot in the bullpen given that the group has struggled this year and that'd be a good opportunity to see if he could provide some consistency there.
Either way, there's multiple spots at play for Grove, and he's fine with whatever role his team needs him to fill.
