Dodgers add Wrobleski for NLCS, keep Rojas and leave Kim off roster

The Dodgers added left-hander Justin Wrobleski to their National League Championship Series roster Sunday and left infielder Hyeseong Kim off the 26-man group. Miguel Rojas remains available after the lower-back problem that interrupted his previous series against Atlanta.

Los Angeles will carry 13 pitchers and 13 position players against Milwaukee, adding a pitcher after using 12 in the Division Series. The best-of-seven matchup begins Sunday night at American Family Field. The club’s official roster announcement lists Wrobleski among nine relievers.

The change gives manager Dave Roberts another way to cover multiple innings. MLB.com reports that Wrobleski gained experience in short relief last season and remains stretched out for a longer appearance if needed. His place in this round’s bullpen therefore adds coverage beyond a single-batter matchup.

Wrobleski finished the regular season 12-5 with a 3.66 ERA across 22 starts and six relief appearances, according to the Associated Press report carried by ESPN. He also made his first All-Star team. The Los Angeles Times reports that he allowed one run over his final eight appearances, covering 8⅔ innings, after an uneven second half and a move into relief.

Rojas’ inclusion settles a separate question. He left Game 3 against the Braves with lower-back pain and was unavailable for Game 4. MLB.com reports that he came through subsequent workouts and the flight to Milwaukee feeling well enough to make the roster.

Kim was included in the previous round for his speed but never entered as a pinch-runner. His lone appearance came as a defensive replacement after Rojas’ injury. Removing him trims the Dodgers’ substitution options on the position-player side while expanding their pitching group.

Josue De Paula stays on the bench as its primary left-handed pinch hitter. MLB.com notes that he drew a walk in the Game 4 rally that produced Andy Pages’ go-ahead single. Keeping De Paula preserves that batting option as Los Angeles adjusts the balance of its roster.

Milwaukee made no changes to the 26-man group it used against San Diego, the AP reports. The Dodgers’ selection is a specific response to the longer series: more available innings, with one fewer position player to use from the bench.

Sources

MLB.com: Dodgers add lefty Wrobleski, leave off Kim · Dodgers roster and Brewers unchanged · Los Angeles Times: Wrobleski added and Rojas retained