The Los Angeles Dodgers entered last season compensating for bullpen volatility by leaning heavily on their starting rotation, a philosophical pivot from the blueprint that delivered the 2024 World Series title.
Now, with aspirations of becoming the first franchise since the 1998-2000 New York Yankees to secure a three-peat, the Dodgers are attempting to harmonize both arms of their pitching staff into a cohesive October weapon.
On paper, the 2026 roster appears largely finalized following the re-signings of Evan Phillips and Enrique Hernández, though neither player is expected to be active on Opening Day.
Phillips’ delayed return comes as no surprise.
The right-hander continues his recovery from Tommy John surgery and is projected to remain sidelined until sometime after the All-Star break.
His eventual activation is viewed internally as a midseason reinforcement rather than an early season stabilizer.
The Dodgers are also managing the absence of Brock Stewart, who is rehabbing from right shoulder surgery and will not factor into the bullpen mix at the outset.
Meanwhile, Brusdar Graterol presents another variable.
Initially anticipated to resume throwing aggressively, the Dodgers have shifted to a more cautious approach following his labrum repair surgery in the right shoulder.
Graterol has not pitched since the 2024 World Series and endured setbacks during previous comeback attempts.
Given that landscape, the Dodgers’ bullpen depth chart carries both upside and fragility.
The signing of Edwin DÃaz has fortified the ninth inning, providing a definitive closer with elite swing-and-miss pedigree.
The organization also expects Tanner Scott to rebound and anchor high leverage situations irrespective of opposing handedness.
However, depth beyond those pillars warrants scrutiny.
Health uncertainties surrounding Phillips, Graterol, Stewart, and even Blake Treinen underscore the volatility inherent in relief pitching.
Within that context, the possibility of reuniting with Michael Kopech surfaces as a calculated gamble worth considering.
Kopech arrived in Los Angeles as part of a three-team trade in 2024 that also brought Tommy Edman into the fold.
During stretches that season, Kopech flashed the high-octane arsenal that once made him one of baseball’s most tantalizing arms.
Across 24 appearances with the Dodgers in 2024, he posted a 4-0 record with six saves, a 1.13 ERA, a 2.54 FIP, and a 0.79 WHIP.
He followed that with three runs allowed over nine innings during 10 postseason appearances, though control lapses manifested in seven walks.
Yet Kopech’s recent trajectory has been clouded by injury.
He opened the 2025 season on the injured list due to a right shoulder impingement and appeared in only 14 games.
A subsequent rehab assignment revealed continued inconsistency, and after eight appearances he returned to the injured list.
Surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee prolonged his absence until September.
Upon returning, Kopech allowed runs in three of six outings before finishing the year back on the injured list and ultimately being excluded from postseason rosters.
The résumé, therefore, presents a duality.
There is measurable dominance embedded within the numbers.
There is also undeniable fragility.
For Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman, such profiles often align with organizational philosophy.
Los Angeles has repeatedly leveraged depth, infrastructure, and analytical precision to rehabilitate undervalued talent.
If Kopech were willing to accept a Minor League contract, the calculus becomes particularly attractive.
A non guaranteed deal would minimize financial risk while preserving upside.
Should injuries or regression afflict current bullpen members, Kopech could emerge as a midseason contingency.
The external market for Kopech has remained subdued.
The San Francisco Giants and the New York Yankees are the only teams publicly linked to him this winter.
As Spring Training workouts commence league wide, no significant shift in interest has materialized.
Kopech turns 30 at the end of April, an age that suggests time remains for reinvention but patience grows thinner.
For the Dodgers, the equation extends beyond pure talent evaluation.
It encompasses timing, depth layering, and October planning.
A three-peat pursuit demands redundancy.
Elite closers and trusted setup men form the backbone of postseason strategy, yet championships often hinge on the unexpected arm who absorbs pivotal innings.
Kopech’s velocity, prior success in Los Angeles, and familiarity with organizational systems enhance his appeal.
Conversely, shoulder durability and command volatility inject caution.
Ultimately, the decision may hinge on roster flexibility and Kopech’s willingness to embrace a prove-it platform.
The Dodgers’ bullpen, even with DÃaz anchoring the ninth, is not immune to attrition.
Reinforcing that group with a low-risk, high-upside addition aligns with championship calculus.
In a season defined by historic ambition, marginal depth decisions could influence whether Los Angeles sustains dominance or falls short of legacy.
