Dodgers Bullpen to Get Major Boost in Form of All-Star Pitcher

He will help them greatly.

Jul 12, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts (30), pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto (18), and pitcher Justin Wrobleski (70) pose with their All-Star game jerseys before the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Liang-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

A Los Angeles Dodgers bullpen that has struggled all season to stay healthy could receive a massive boost just in time for the final month of the regular season.

Justin Wrobleski began his rehab assignment on Saturday for Oklahoma City and will join the Dodgers in LA this week, according to Dodgers manager Dave Roberts.

The 26-year-old, who was selected to the 2026 All-Star team as an alternate this season, was placed on the 15-day injured list in mid-August after experiencing forearm tightness. Wrobleski had struggled since the All-Star break as he continued to undergo an extreme workload, pitching 126.1 innings so far this season — almost 60 more innings than last season.

Now, Roberts plans on utilizing Wrobleski in the bullpen rather than returning him to the starting rotation.

"We’re going to reevaluate what the plan is for him,” Roberts said. “But my assumption is he’ll stay in the ‘pen.”

Ahead of the All-Star break, Wrobleski held a career-best 2.69 ERA and a 10-2 record. His drop off since has been noticeable, with his ERA skyrocketing to 6.92 with a 1-3 record. After the news of his move to the IL, Roberts said the team was "not concerned" about a long term absence.

"Given his workload and where he's at, taking some of the load off his arm, I think it's smart," Roberts told reporters.

Now, with a potential return on the horizon, the Dodgers seemingly don't need Wrobleski to return to his previous role as a starter.

Since Wrobleski's injury, Tyler Glasnow returned to the mound and has impressed since recovering from a lower back injury that had kept him out since early May. Blake Snell, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Tarik Skubal round out a loaded rotation that is still missing two of its starters in Shohei Ohtani and Roki Sasaki.

Ohtani's health is murky at best as his lingering knee and biceps injuries continue to push back his return to the mound. Sasaki recently began dealing with a blister, but the Dodgers' level of concern seems low if Wrobleski is not likely to start.

Regardless, with a bullpen that is in need of more reliable options, Wrobleski could serve as a valuable multi-inning option for the Dodgers throughout the remainder of the regular season and into the playoffs.

It's possible he returns as soon as Tuesday when rosters expand to 28, but the team may add someone else and give Wrobleski a few more days.

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