Something had to give. For a team chasing October glory and juggling talent, a roster shake-up was only a matter of time. Behind the scenes, quiet moves often speak the loudest, and this one could echo deeper than it first appears. With the Los Angeles Dodgers‘ most elite star inching closer to doing what no one else in MLB can, they made a surprising roster decision. Shohei Ohtani’s pitching comeback is no longer just a hope; it is turning into a calendar item, and with that, apparently, a 30-year-old star was sent to pack.
The Dodgers did not wait for the trade deadline sparks to begin making moves. In the early hours of this month, the Dodgers quietly offloaded their struggling reliever Joe Jacques to the Seattle Mariners. MLB Insider Joel Sherman reported the news on his X handle, writing, “Source: The Mariners are acquiring reliever Joe Jacques from the Dodgers.” The trade was not a blockbuster; however, it was not meaningless either.
Jacques had not made any positive impact with the Dodgers. He has played the whole 2025 season with Triple-A Oklahoma City, recording a 6.04 ERA along with 24 strikeouts and 8 walks in 22.1 innings pitched. That is why the Dodgers clearly did not see him as part of their future plans, and the Mariners acquired him in exchange for cash considerations.
Source: The Mariners are acquiring reliever Joe Jacques from the Dodgers.
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) June 2, 2025
The question is, why now? Why make this move for someone who likely was not going to crack the bullpen anyway? The answer is definitely Shohei Ohtani. The two-way superstar recently threw to hitters for the second time since undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2023. That one update transformed things within the team. Los Angeles is beginning to quietly prepare for what will be one of the most dramatic roster reintegrations in recent memory: Ohtani the pitcher.
Add to that the timing. Yesterday marked a deadline across MLB where players on minor league deals could trigger opt-outs. Jacques could have exercised that right, which would have pushed the team’s hand. Still, the fact that the Dodgers’ Jacques go instead of making room is telling. It suggests there is a plan in place, and that approach could be tied to the unicorn waiting in the wings. While the Dodgers were reshaping their roster in anticipation of Ohtani’s return, the team was hit with unexpected turbulence. This time, involving another valuable star.
Mookie Betts sidelined after toe injury
Just hours before a high-profile showdown with the Yankees, the Dodgers got surprising and worrisome news. Mookie Betts would miss the series opener after suffering a toe injury. It was not a baseball play, it happened in his house. The star stubbed his toe walking to the bathroom in the dark and fractured it, which sidelined Betts for only the fourth time this season. The timing could not have been worse, with the fans’ attention fixed on the Dodgers-Yankees rematch.
Manager Dave Roberts said, “I know it’s at the tip of his toe, so it’s going to be one of those situations [that is] per his [pain] tolerance. I don’t expect an IL. We’ll probably have him down for the series, and hopefully, he’ll be available to hit in a big spot. And then we’ll kind of see. But I think for me right now it’s just day to day,” he added.
Los Angeles Dodgers Mookie Betts hits a solo home run in the sixth inning against the New York Mets in game five of the MLB, Baseball Herren, USA NLCS at Citi Field in New York City on Friday, October 18, 2024. PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxONLY NYP20241018235 RAYxSTUBBLEBINE
The Dodgers are hopeful that Betts can return quickly. Roberts also said that he could be available off the bench as a pinch hitter. However, it will depend on how he is feeling over the next two games. Such an unexpected hiccup highlights the delicate balance the team needs to maintain. The Dodgers are preparing for a huge internal shift with Ohtani’s two-way position, while also dealing with short-term uncertainty with a cornerstone star. Keep watching—because the upcoming weeks could redefine the Dodgers’ season.
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