Just when it appeared matters couldn’t get any worse for the Los Angeles Dodgers and their starting rotation, they did. Dennis Santana was due to make his first MLB start Thursday in the series finale against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
But the rookie was scratched from the outing minutes before first pitch. Santana felt discomfort in his right lat while warming up, which prevented him from throwing his slider. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was forced to rely on a bullpen game for a second time in the past week.
His group of relievers did not include Tony Cingrani, who was lost to the 10-day disabled list Thursday morning because of shoulder discomfort.