Exploring some random guys on the Dodgers’ 40-man roster – Pitchers Edition

We all know most of the guys who we’ll see on the field for the Dodgers this year, but it’s probably a good time of the year to review the 40-man roster, especially those players who don’t have numbers listed.

First, let’s go over some random pitchers. Staying in line with a theme of financial and organizational flexibility, the Dodgers didn’t go after big-name starters like Max Scherzer and James Shields this off-season. That said, they do have a lot of relative unknowns who could make an impact both in spot-starts and in relief this upcoming season. Here are four guys you may not know much about.

Yimi Garcia

Garcia saw a little time with the Dodgers last year. In just eight games and just ten innings, he posted an ERA of 1.80. The righty also posted a 3.10 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP in Albuquerque, where he spent most of the season.

If the Dodgers are looking for some real bullpen help this season, Garcia could be a part of that. At some point.

Here’s a profile of Garcia from Eric Stephen at TrueBlueLA that was posted almost a year ago.

Mike Bolsinger

Bolsinger spent last season with the Diamondbacks, where he started nine games and wasn’t very good. The Dodgers saw enough in him to pick him up in the offseason. Presumably, he’s someone who can provide a few starts and, hopefully for Dodger fans, give the team a chance to win.

They got him from a division rival for a song, which would make any positive contribution he makes even more satisfying for fans who love to see that Arizona team twist in the wind. Depth, depth, flexibility, depth.

Chris Hatcher

Hatcher is a relief pitcher with four years of experience with the Marlins, though only one of them can really be classified as “good.” Last season, he pitched 56 decent innings and managed a K/BB ratio of more than 4/1. Hatcher’s addition should also help the Dodgers’ bullpen depth, though nothing is ever guaranteed when it comes to brining in relief pitchers.

Hatcher is 30 years old and is a converted catcher like his new bullpen-mate Kenley Jansen. He made the news last year when he was suspended for fighting a minor league teammate. Hatcher at-worst interesting and at-best like a character out of the bullpen who the Dodgers and their fans could really grow to depend on this year.

Adam Liberatore

Liberatore was drafted by the Andrew Friedman-led Rays organization and has yet to see the big leagues. At AAA Durham last season, he put up a .892 WHIP and 1.66 ERA. He is a left-handed relief pitcher with presumably good stuff, which is always a commodity one would like to have. It’s a little odd that Liberatore will be 28 this year and hasn’t seen the big leagues with numbers like he had.

Liberatore has a Tommy John surgery in his history, but it didn’t seem to affect his performance in the minors last year. Perhaps this is the season and the team for him to finally make it to the big-time, where he could be very effective — especially against left-handed hitters.