The Dugout Dispatch: Dodgers Injuries, Gausman comments, and more!

The Monday Mound Visit is here! In this one, we go over the Dodgers' brutal weekend, and Kevin Gausman's honest comments about the Blue Jays, before highlighting three quick notes from around the league. As always, we'll end this edition with the current standings as well as the upcoming matchups.

Dodgers Injuries Hit Hard as Yamamoto, Betts Go Down

The Los Angeles Dodgers have been dealt a couple of big injury blows in recent days. They have placed prized rookie starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto on the 15-day injured list. Yamamoto, who signed a historic $325 million contract before the season, had gotten off to a solid start and looked really good lately as he continues to adjust to the major leagues.

Yamamoto will be replaced in the rotation by Bobby Miller, who is being activated off the 15-day IL on Wednesday. Miller has underwhelmed in his 3 starts this season, pitching 11.2 innings with a 5.40 ERA. The former top prospect needs to figure it out quickly given the Dodgers' current lack of starting pitching depth.

Even worse for the Dodgers, superstar Mookie Betts fractured his hand after being hit by a 98 mph fastball. The MVP favorite will miss a significant chunk of time with the injury. There is never an easy replacement for a player of Betts caliber, but the Dodgers don't have even an average option to fill his void. They'll likely turn to Kiké Hernandez, who has really struggled over the past two seasons with newly signed Cavan Biggio taking over full-time third base duties.

Blue Jays Pitchers Carry Offensive Load

On the other side of the spectrum, the Toronto Blue Jays' pitching staff has had to carry an unexpectedly heavy load. In recent comments made to the media, starter Kevin Gausman bluntly stated a tough truth: "if we don't pitch well, we probably lose...We've got to be really good."

Gausman's words ring true, as the once lethal Blue Jays' offense has been among the worst in baseball so far this year. They rank in the bottom third of the league in batting average (22nd), runs per game (24th), hits per game (25th), home runs per game (27th), slugging percentage (24th), and OPS (22nd).

While Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s power numbers are down, he is still getting on base at a high clip with a .780 OPS. Despite Vladdy's slight resurgence, other key Blue Jays hitters have greatly underperformed. Bo Bichette has been a net negative with a .629 OPS. George Springer looks washed up with a dismal .579 OPS. Even free agent signing Justin Turner is having his worst season since being a rookie with an OPS of just .659.

The team's offensive struggles harken back to their embarrassing playoff exit against the Minnesota Twins last year. With the offense continuing to sputter, the Blue Jays should consider trading Guerrero at the deadline and beginning a rebuild.

Quick Hits

The New York Mets are on a 5-game win streak after sweeping the San Diego Padres.
The Boston Red Sox may have exposed a way to attack the Yankees by stealing 9 bases against them on Sunday Night Baseball.
Minnesota's Royce Lewis could develop into one of baseball's best power hitters...if he can stay healthy.