Pitching depth is critical to MLB teams’ longevity in the second half of the season, and the Los Angeles Dodgers learned that well in 2024.

Still, even with a pitching staff decimated by injuries and just three healthy starters, LA pulled off a dominant run through the postseason and eventual World Series win over the Yankees. Most of the Dodgers’ focus this offseason went to improving and deepening their pitching staff, and they did well for themselves.

The Dodgers bolstered their rotation by signing Blake Snell and Roki Sasaki, and the returns of Shohei Ohtani, Dustin May and Tyler Glasnow will make it exceptionally dangerous. LA also packed its bullpen with Tanner Scott and Kirby Yates, two of the offseason’s elite relief pitchers on the free agent market.

In order to accommodate Yates on their roster, the Dodgers felt inclined to move Ryan Brasier, who they designated for assignment. The Cubs claimed him off waivers on Feb. 4 and the Dodgersdished him to Chicago for cash considerations or a player to be named later.

Now, just about a month later, the Dodgers could use Brasier. Relievers Evan Phillips and Michael Kopech are both dealing with injuries that will have them on the injured list to begin the season in just a few weeks.

The Dodgers could’ve used Ryan Brasier after injuries to Evan Phillips and Michael Kopech force them to begin season on IL

Phillips is still mending a torn rotator cuff he sustained during the NLCS and Kopech has been dealing with forearm soreness since before the Dodgers reported to spring training. They’re both in the early stages of their recovery and haven’t yet thrown at 100% effort.

Had LA kept Brasier around, it would have more bullpen depth to start the season now that Phillips and Kopech won’t be ready for Opening Day. Braiser posted two short seasons of solid work for the Dodgers during the 2023 and ’24 campaigns and he could’ve been a reliable choice to sub in for either injured arm in the back end of the ‘pen.

The righty came to Los Angeles after a disastrous start to the 2023 season with the Red Sox. He clocked a 7.29 ERA in 21 innings and Boston designated him for assignment in late April. Weeks later, he signed with the Dodgers and finished his season with a 0.70 ERA over 38 2/3 innings in Dodger Blue.

In 2024, Brasier spent time on the 60-day IL with a calf strain, but he still posted a successful stint with LA. He finished with a 3.54 ERA and 25 strikeouts in 28 innings during the regular season.

If the Dodgers still had Brasier, he would be solid insurance for Phillips and Kopech as they recover. They likely won’t be on the IL for long — Kopech is expected to start the season on the 15-day IL — but any depth only stands to benefit the team. Luckily, the Dodgers have more starting pitchers than they know what to do with, so they’ll surely figure something out until their bullpen is fully staffed again.